Single-visit cervical screening, triage, and treatment for women living with HIV in La Romana
Implementation of Screen, Treat, and Triage for Women Living with HIV in La Romana (iSTAR)
This project will bring same-day HPV screening, triage, and treatment to women living with HIV in La Romana to prevent cervical cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179273 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a woman living with HIV in La Romana, this project offers a one-visit approach where you'll be tested for HPV and, if needed, receive immediate triage and treatment during the same clinic visit. The team will link these services into existing HIV care so you don't need extra appointments or referrals. They will work with local clinics and staff to identify and remove barriers that keep women from receiving screening and same-day care. The approach combines HPV testing, point-of-care decision steps, and training for local health workers to make the service practical and lasting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adult women living with HIV in La Romana who are due for cervical cancer screening and willing to attend participating local clinics.
Not a fit: People who are HIV-negative, live outside the La Romana area, or have already been treated for cervical precancer are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more women living with HIV could get detected and treated for precancerous cervical changes in a single visit, lowering their risk of cervical cancer.
How similar studies have performed: HPV-based screen-triage-and-treat approaches have been shown to be safe and effective for women living with HIV and are recommended by WHO, but delivering them as single-visit programs in low-resource settings remains a newer implementation challenge.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schnall, Rebecca — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Schnall, Rebecca
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.