Protecting mothers and babies from HIV during pregnancy and breastfeeding in Malawi
Project 1 - Surveillance and monitoring systems to identify strategies to improve perinatal practices [Parent Title: PREVENTING INFANT INFECTIONS WITH IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE IN MALAWI]
This project tests whether daily oral PrEP or a long‑acting injectable PrEP can help pregnant and breastfeeding women in Malawi stay HIV‑free.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325803 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are an HIV‑negative pregnant or breastfeeding woman at risk of HIV, this project offers HIV prevention through routine antenatal clinic services and close monitoring. Women may be offered daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) or the newer long‑acting injectable cabotegravir, with regular follow‑up to track adherence, safety, and pregnancy outcomes. The team builds surveillance and monitoring systems at clinics to spot gaps in care and improve perinatal practices that protect mothers and infants. Data from pregnancies that occur while on PrEP will be collected to better understand safety for mothers and babies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: HIV‑negative pregnant or breastfeeding women receiving antenatal care at participating clinics in Malawi who are at risk of HIV exposure.
Not a fit: People who are living with HIV, not pregnant or breastfeeding, or not receiving care at participating clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could give pregnant and breastfeeding women safer, easier ways to avoid HIV and lower the risk of passing HIV to their babies.
How similar studies have performed: Daily oral TDF/FTC has been shown to prevent HIV when taken consistently, and long‑acting cabotegravir has prevented HIV in other populations but has limited safety data in pregnancy.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saidi, Friday — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Saidi, Friday
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.