The R-21 NIH Study is a multi-county implementation science research project led by Help REACH Africa (HERA) in partnership with the University of South Florida and Q-Initiative, with funding support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The study seeks to understand how implementation strategies and site-level contextual factors influence the uptake and continued use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in counties with moderate to high HIV burden in Kenya.
The project works closely with county governments, healthcare facilities, and stakeholders to strengthen evidence generation and inform more effective HIV prevention approaches.
- Examine factors influencing uptake and continued use of PrEP
- Assess implementation strategies supporting HIV prevention services
- Strengthen evidence generation on PrEP delivery in Kenya
- Support data-driven and context-responsive HIV prevention programming
- Enhance collaboration between research institutions, governments, and health systems
Key Results
- Successfully obtained IRB approval and NACOSTI licensing for the study
- Secured approvals and engagement from participating county governments
- Conducted Phase I data collection across multiple counties in Kenya
- Strengthened collaboration with county health stakeholders and participating health facilities
- Sampled and engaged 30 study facilities across counties with moderate to high HIV burden
- Conducted stakeholder and introductory meetings with county health leadership and facility teams
- Generated emerging evidence on contextual factors influencing PrEP uptake and continuation
The study utilizes implementation science approaches, stakeholder engagement, facility-based research, and contextual analysis to better understand barriers and facilitators affecting PrEP uptake and continuation.
The project works collaboratively with county governments, healthcare providers, and health facilities to strengthen evidence-informed HIV prevention interventions and service delivery systems.
The R-21 NIH Study has strengthened collaboration between researchers, county governments, healthcare providers, and participating health facilities in advancing HIV prevention research in Kenya.
Through county engagement meetings and facility-level collaboration, healthcare providers and stakeholders have contributed valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities affecting PrEP uptake and continuation within different healthcare settings.
The study continues to generate important evidence that will help inform more responsive, context-specific, and sustainable HIV prevention strategies in Kenya.
The study is being implemented across counties with moderate to high HIV burden in Kenya, including:
- Nairobi
- Kisumu
- Siaya
- Mombasa
- Machakos
- Kiambu
Donor
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Partners
- University of South Florida
- Q-Initiative
- Ministry of Health
- Participating County Governments
- Participating Health Facilities
Ongoing – Data Analysis Stage
The study has successfully completed all planned implementation phases, including quantitative data collection and Phase III key informant interviews.
The project is currently at the data analysis stage, where findings are being reviewed to generate evidence that will inform more effective and context-responsive PrEP delivery approaches in Kenya.
