STI testing added to PrEP programs to protect women from HIV
Integrated Female Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing for HIV Epidemic Control through PrEP: The IN-STEP study
Offering STI testing alongside routine risk screening to see if more women aged 15–39 start and keep using PrEP to prevent HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11472894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to get routine sexual risk screening alone or screening plus testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, and syphilis. The study uses newer, lower-cost and point-of-care STI tests so results and follow-up can happen quickly. Researchers will track whether STI testing helps more women begin PrEP and stay on it over time. Visits would take place at participating clinics with regular follow-up to monitor PrEP use and sexual health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women aged 15–39 who are HIV-negative and at risk for HIV (for example, with recent STI, high-risk partner, or interest in PrEP) would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who already have HIV, those outside the 15–39 age range, or those at very low risk for HIV are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help more women at risk start and keep using PrEP and reduce new HIV infections.
How similar studies have performed: Past research shows curable STIs predict future HIV risk and that PrEP prevents HIV, but trials specifically testing integrated STI diagnostics to boost PrEP use among women are limited.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grabowski, Mary Kathryn — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Grabowski, Mary Kathryn
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.