West Africa self-sampling HPV program for women living with HIV/AIDS

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project partners with clinics in Mali and Nigeria to offer self-collected HPV tests to WLWHA, using trained community health workers to educate, collect samples, remind patients about follow-up, and assist with referrals. It aims to create a practical, “detect-to-treat” workflow that leverages HIV care networks to reach high-risk women who often lack access to cervical cancer screening. The study will adapt existing programs to the West African setting, evaluate how well the self-sampling and referral system works, and identify barriers and needs to sustain the approach. By focusing on WLWHA, the project seeks to reduce cervical cancer mortality in a group with elevated risk and to inform scalable screening models for LMICs and underserved populations in the US as applicable.

Why it matters

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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  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11624032

• Globally useful predictor for cervical cancer treatment response

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  NIH research University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, United States · NIH-11622628

• 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.

  NIH research Albert Einstein College of Medicine · Bronx, United States · NIH-11565861

• 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.

  NIH research Rand Corporation · Santa Monica, United States · NIH-11535797

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.