Using large-scale data to track HIV and COVID spread in Africa
Official title: Role of Data Streams In Informing Infection Dynamics in Africa- INFORM Africa
Funded at Institute of Human Virology · NIH-11395068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses health and population data from Nigeria and South Africa to learn where and how HIV and coronavirus spread so local health teams can better protect people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute of Human Virology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Abuja, Nigeria) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,709 |
| NIH project number | 3U54TW012041-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people or communities in Nigeria or South Africa whose health records, testing results, or community data are already part of local health systems and databases.
✕Less likely to help
People outside Nigeria and South Africa or those without records in the included data sources are unlikely to be directly included or benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project will use health records and community data from people in Nigeria and South Africa to map where HIV and coronavirus spread. Researchers will link hospitals, testing, mobility, and other population data and apply advanced analytics and spatial mapping to find hotspots and trends. Local health agencies, universities, and industry partners will use these findings to guide testing, prevention, and treatment where they are most needed. The Hub also trains local teams and builds data systems so communities get faster responses during future outbreaks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help target testing, prevention, and treatment to reduce HIV and COVID transmission in affected communities.
How similar studies have gone: Data-driven surveillance systems have helped guide outbreak responses in other regions, but applying linked, population-scale data to HIV and coronavirus across Africa at this scale is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute of Human Virology
Abuja, Nigeria Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abimiku, Alash'le G. — Institute of Human Virology
- Study coordinator: Abimiku, Alash'le G.
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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.