Using population data to track HIV and coronavirus spread in Africa
Official title: Role of Data streams In Informing infection dynamics in Africa (INFORM Africa)
Funded at Institute of Human Virology · NIH-11161589 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses large-scale health and population data from Nigeria and South Africa to map how HIV and coronaviruses move through communities so responses 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) | $1,082,274 |
| NIH project number | 5U54TW012041-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161589 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living in Nigeria or South Africa affected by HIV or coronavirus, or whose health data are captured in local surveillance systems, are most likely to be included or to benefit from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside Nigeria and South Africa or those with conditions unrelated to HIV or coronaviruses are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.
What this research studies
The INFORM Africa Hub brings together health records, laboratory results, and other population-scale data from Nigeria and South Africa to create timely pictures of where HIV and coronavirus infections are spreading. Researchers from local partners and technical collaborators will apply big-data analytics, spatial statistics, and advanced computational methods to combine and analyze these data streams. The hub links universities, government agencies, NGOs, and an industry partner to strengthen local analytic capacity and inform public-health actions. The work focuses on improving early detection of transmission patterns and guiding targeted prevention and care efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give health officials earlier warnings and better targeting of prevention and treatment to reduce infections and save lives.
How similar studies have gone: Other public-health efforts using large data streams have helped spot outbreaks and guide responses, but applying and integrating these approaches across African HIV and coronavirus epidemics 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.