Award
NIH Reporter #3R01MH140750-01S1
A multi-level intervention to upscale HIV testing and PrEP uptake for men with high HIV exposure via community pharmacies in resource-limited settings
Recipient
University of Rochester
Award Amount
$87,923.00
Ceiling
$87,923.00
Awarded
September 10, 2026
Identifier
3R01MH140750-01S1
The award supports a study to evaluate a pharmacy-based intervention to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake among high-risk men in Ghana, using a multilevel approach and a stepped-wedge trial across community pharmacies.
Description
This study aims to evaluate a multilevel intervention, LAFIYA Pharmacy, designed to increase HIV self-testing (HIVST) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among men with high HIV exposure in Ghana. The intervention combines an evidence-based U.S. pharmacy PrEP delivery model with behavioral components tailored for urban informal settlement contexts. The study will finalize and assess the effectiveness of the intervention through focus groups, pilot testing, and a stepped-wedge trial involving 12 pharmacies, 60 pharmacists, and 240 men across six community clusters. The goal is to determine whether community pharmacies can serve as confidential, decentralized points for HIV prevention services, addressing barriers such as social deterrents and limited facility engagement.