PrEP options for young Kenyan women: improving HIV protection and adherence
Official title: Effectiveness of PrEP product choice on HIV prevention coverage among young women in Kenya seeking reproductive health services
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11412442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how different PrEP options for young women in Kenya affect steady HIV protection when they access reproductive health services.
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 start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $314,771 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134681-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are sexually active young women in Kenya who are engaged with reproductive health services and are considering or currently using PrEP.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not use PrEP or who are not connected to reproductive health services may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project focuses on young women in Kenya who use reproductive health clinics and may benefit from longer-acting PrEP options. It explores how choosing between oral PrEP, dapivirine vaginal rings, or injections could impact continued use and consistent protection against HIV. Researchers collaborate with clinic staff to integrate PrEP delivery into routine care and to streamline supply chains, training, and support for patients. By understanding user preferences and barriers to ongoing use, the study aims to identify practical pathways to maintain protection in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more reliable HIV protection for young women by aligning PrEP options with their needs and routines.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show interest in PrEP but ongoing use remains a challenge; this study builds on that by testing longer-acting options in a real-world setting.
Where this research is happening
-
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.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How choosing PrEP products could improve HIV protection for young women in Kenya
This project looks at which HIV-prevention options young Kenyan women prefer and how choosing a product affects how well they stay protected.
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Effectiveness of PrEP product choice for HIV prevention among young Kenyan women seeking reproductive health services
A study tests which PrEP options best help young Kenyan women stay protected against HIV when they access reproductive health services.
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PrEP choices to prevent HIV for young Kenyan women seeking reproductive care
This project compares daily PrEP pills, a monthly vaginal ring, and injectable PrEP to find which option helps young women getting reproductive health care in Kenya stay protected from HIV.
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Choosing the best PrEP option to prevent HIV for young women in Kenya
This project offers young women getting reproductive health care in Kenya a choice between daily pills, monthly vaginal rings, or long‑acting injections to see which options help more people stay protected from HIV.
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PrEP choices to better protect young women at reproductive health clinics in Kenya
This project compares daily pills, monthly injections, and vaginal rings to help young women visiting reproductive health clinics in Kenya stay protected from HIV.
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How different PrEP products can improve HIV prevention for young women in Kenya
This study is looking at how well different HIV prevention methods, like special rings and injections, work for young women in Kenya, and it aims to make it easier for them to use these options by improving support from healthcare providers.
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.