West Africa Self-Sampling HPV Program for WLWHA
Official title: West Africa Self-Sampling HPV Based Cervical Cancer Control Program (WA-SS-HCCP) for WLWHA: Barriers, challenges, and needs
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11535392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to help women living with HIV in West Africa screen for cervical cancer safely at home using self-sampling HPV tests and connect them to follow-up care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $123,660 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA275129-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535392 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women living with HIV/AIDS in West Africa who have access to CHWs and HIV care infrastructure and are willing to participate in self-sampling and follow-up pathways.
✕Less likely to help
WLWHA who do not have access to testing supplies or reliable follow-up resources may not benefit from this model.
What this research studies
This project partners with clinics in Mali and Nigeria to implement a practical, home-based HPV testing approach for women living with HIV. It uses CHWs and HIV care networks to educate, collect samples, remind patients about follow-up, and assist with referrals for diagnosis and treatment. The focus is on a “detect-to-treat” model that prioritizes high-risk WLWHA who may face barriers to in-clinic screening. The effort builds on years of collaboration to adapt screening strategies to West Africa and reduce late-stage cervical cancer among a vulnerable group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could enable earlier detection and faster linkage to care for cervical cancer among WLWHA in West Africa.
How similar studies have gone: There is precedent for self-sampling HPV testing improving screening uptake, though implementation in WLWHA in West Africa is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hou, Lifang — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Hou, Lifang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Community and digital tools to reduce HPV and cervical cancer burden
A nurse or health team will test a community-based, digital strategy to help girls and young women, especially in rural areas, get HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention services.
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Community and digital tools to reduce HPV and cervical cancer in women with HIV
A community- and digital-technology program aims to help girls and young women, including those with HIV, get more HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention services.
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mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
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Globally useful predictor for cervical cancer treatment response
This project aims to develop a simple predictive signature to personalize treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer using easy tests and imaging.
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HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
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Hybrid approach to boost cervical cancer screening in Uganda
A tested, community-driven program helps Ugandan women encourage their peers to get free VIA cervical cancer screening.
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.