PrEP choices to better protect young women at reproductive health clinics in Kenya
Effectiveness of PrEP product choice on HIV prevention coverage among young women in Kenya seeking reproductive health services
This project compares daily pills, monthly injections, and vaginal rings to help young women visiting reproductive health clinics in Kenya stay protected from HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140972 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a young woman using family planning or antenatal services in Kenya, you may be offered different HIV prevention options such as daily oral PrEP, a monthly dapivirine ring, or periodic injectable cabotegravir. Clinic staff will be trained and clinic systems organized to offer these choices as part of routine reproductive care and to help with follow-up. The team will track which products women start, how long they continue them, and whether offering a choice improves ongoing protection. The focus is on making prevention easier to use and better matched to women’s lives so fewer people stop using it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Young women (about 15–30 years old) attending participating reproductive health clinics in Kenya who are at risk for HIV and interested in using PrEP are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Women who already have reliable HIV prevention through other means, who do not want to use PrEP products, or who have medical reasons they cannot use specific PrEP options may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help more young women stay continuously protected from HIV by offering longer-acting PrEP options that fit their needs.
How similar studies have performed: Oral PrEP has been proven to prevent HIV but many young women stop taking it, while recent trials show dapivirine rings and injectable cabotegravir can provide effective, longer-acting protection, so offering choice and clinic integration builds on that evidence.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heffron, Renee a. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Heffron, Renee a.
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 below.