IAVI and our partners have long recognized the importance of understanding the local epidemiology of HIV in order to best inform future HIV prevention trials. To this end, we have partnered with many teams since 2004 to study HIV incidence, associated predictors of HIV acquisition, volunteer retention, and the needs and motivations of “key populations” as they relate to participating in biomedical research and improved access to health care.

Type: Incidence/prospective cohorts in higher-risk populations potentially suitable for efficacy trial participation. This family of studies includes nearly three dozen cohorts that have enrolled over 26,000 volunteers including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, at-risk women, married couples, and fishing community members.
Study Status: Multiple studies conducted. Currently five cohorts ongoing
Enrollment Status: Open
Countries: Kenya; Rwanda; South Africa; Uganda; Zambia
Partners: HIV Pathogenesis Program, Durban, South Africa; Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast, Kilifi, Kenya; MRC, UVRI & LSHTM (MUL) Uganda Research Unit, Masaka, Uganda; Center for Family Health Research in Zambia, Lusaka and Ndola; Uganda Virus Research Institute-IAVI, Entebbe, Uganda (closed); KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya (closed); Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda (closed); Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa (closed); Aurum Institute, Rustenburg, South Africa (closed); Center for Family Health Research, Kigali, Rwanda (closed)

Study Summary:
 
To estimate the annual incidence of HIV infection, characterize early HIV infection, and prepare clinical trial sites for HIV preventive vaccine efficacy trials for which volunteers from this study cohort may be recruited.