PrEP My Way: a peer-supported, flexible PrEP plan for young women in Kenya
Official title: PrEP My Way: A hybrid type 1 clinical effectiveness-implementation trial to promote PrEP persistence among young Kenyan women
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11534544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach helps young Kenyan women stick with PrEP by letting them choose how to take it and using peer support and easy self-testing and self-care tools.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 23, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $374,478 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH138255-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11534544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young women at risk of HIV infection who may benefit from PrEP and are open to peer support and varied PrEP formulations.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not seeking PrEP or not comfortable with peer-delivered support or multiple formulation options may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a patient-centered PrEP delivery system that starts in clinics and then uses peer-delivered kits for HIV self-testing, PrEP refills, STI self-swabs, pregnancy tests, and family planning. It blends multiple PrEP formulations with adherence support to improve continuation, aiming to reduce new HIV infections and PMTCT risk. The study is designed around Social Cognitive Theory to engage young women over time and optimize acceptability and uptake. Results could guide scalable practices for longer-term PrEP use in similar populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase PrEP persistence among young women, lowering HIV risk and improving PMTCT outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Pilot work showed high feasibility and acceptability of the PrEP My Way approach, with improved engagement compared to clinic-based delivery.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haberer, Jessica Elizabeth — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Haberer, Jessica Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
Harnessing male peer networks to boost HIV testing and PrEP use
A large clinical trial in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through male peer networks, with phone support, increases PrEP uptake among men.
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Harnessing men's peer networks to boost HIV self-testing and PrEP use
A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
-
Participatory system dynamics to improve PrEP access in the Bronx
A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
-
TB PrEP: Bringing HIV prevention to households affected by TB in Uganda
Aims to help people in households with TB in Uganda access HIV PrEP as part of a combined prevention approach.
-
CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
A program called CARES helps young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe use different PrEP options better, with counseling, reminders, and options for support.
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.