mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
Official title: mSaada: A Mobile Health Tool to Improve Cervical Cancer Screening in western Kenya
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11624032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $42,153 |
| NIH project number | 3R33CA274665-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11624032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women in underserved communities where screening is scarce and follow-up is challenging, supported by trained community health volunteers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in areas with robust electronic medical records and strong follow-up systems may see less impact.
What this research studies
This project aims to support cervical cancer screening by using a user-friendly mobile platform to track patients and specimens, provide counseling, and guide follow-up. It targets communities with limited healthcare infrastructure where screening and follow-up are often weak. The team will adapt the mSaada app based on stakeholder input and run a pilot to understand what works best for patients, CHVs, and clinics. The work builds toward a future trial to test whether this approach improves screening uptake and timely care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could make screening more reachable and lead to earlier detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilots of mobile health tools have shown promise in improving screening logistics and follow-up in similar settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huchko, Megan J. — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Huchko, Megan J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
-
Enhanced breast and cervical cancer screening in Kenya through implementation science and training
A multi-institution effort to boost breast and cervical cancer screening, follow-up, and treatment in Kenya using hands-on implementation science and training.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.