Understanding HIV prevention for incarcerated individuals in Zambia
Official title: Prison PrEP Values Adherence and Implementation in Lusaka (PrEVAIL)
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10819509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to best provide HIV prevention medication, called PrEP, to people in prison in Lusaka, Zambia, who are at high risk for HIV, and it wants to understand how they use it while in jail and after they get out.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $156,118 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH129162-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10819509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are incarcerated individuals in Zambia who are at risk for HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not incarcerated or who do not have a risk of HIV infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to effectively provide pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to incarcerated individuals in Lusaka, Zambia, who are at high risk for HIV. It aims to understand the patterns of PrEP uptake, adherence, and persistence among these individuals during their time in prison and as they transition back to the community. By examining their perceptions of HIV risk and behaviors, the study seeks to optimize the timing and delivery of PrEP as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy. The research builds on previous studies focused on health services for incarcerated populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce HIV transmission rates among incarcerated individuals and improve their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in implementing HIV prevention strategies in incarcerated populations, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Claassen, Cassidy W. — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Claassen, Cassidy W.
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.
-
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.