Peer-led program to increase cervical cancer screening in Uganda

A Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Trial of Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Uganda

NIH-funded research Rand Corporation · NIH-11136425

Trained women who have already had screening will meet with peers to encourage and support other Ugandan women to get low-cost VIA cervical cancer screening.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRand Corporation NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Monica, United States)
Project IDNIH-11136425 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you would either be a woman who recently got a VIA screen or someone in her social circle who has not yet screened. Trained peers run seven group sessions to share facts about cervical cancer, clear up myths, reduce stigma, and coach women to go for screening. The program builds on social networks so screened women become champions who encourage screening among friends and family. The team will run a larger randomized test in communities across Uganda to see if this approach increases screening and can be kept going long-term.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are Ugandan women who recently received VIA screening and the unscreened women in their social networks who could be encouraged to attend screening.

Not a fit: Women who live outside the study communities or who are already up-to-date with screening and treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lead to many more women getting early, low-cost screening and reduce the number who present with advanced cervical cancer.

How similar studies have performed: A prior pilot randomized trial (R21) showed dramatic increases in screening among network members, so this larger test builds on promising early results.

Where this research is happening

Santa Monica, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Advanced CancerCancer AdvocacyCancer CauseCancer ControlCancer Control Science
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.