Supporting HIV prevention methods for young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Official title: CARES: An adherence support intervention for multiple PREP methods among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10990700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe stick to their HIV prevention methods, like daily pills and injections, by providing them with support and guidance through counseling and reminders, making it easier for them to stay healthy and protected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $710,187 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH137804-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe who are at risk of HIV and are considering or currently using PrEP methods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of HIV or who are not eligible for PrEP methods may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving adherence to HIV prevention methods among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe. It utilizes the Comprehensive Adherence Resource and Empowerment Support (CARES) intervention, which includes counseling, biomarker feedback, and various support strategies like phone calls and SMS. The goal is to adapt and evaluate the CARES intervention to ensure it can be effectively implemented in real-world settings, thereby enhancing the use of daily oral PrEP, injectable PrEP, and the monthly PrEP ring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase adherence to HIV prevention methods, reducing the incidence of HIV among young women in these regions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar adherence support interventions, indicating potential for success in this adapted approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Sarah Tyler — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Sarah Tyler
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.