1092-Zambia-Optimizing implementation of long-acting, injectable Cabotegravir for HIV prevention among adolescents and young adults in Zambia

Four-year study: August 2022 – July 2026, US NIH funded

Study goal:
The study seeks to understand health system, healthcare worker, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) priorities and preferences to specify implementation strategies that will optimize eventual use of and persistence on long-acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) HIV
pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among AYA in Zambia.

Aim 1: Assess the fidelity and sustainability of implementation strategies for two related interventions: oral PrEP and injectable contraception to inform CAB-LA implementation utilizing observations at purposefully sampled health facilities.

Aim status: Data collection complete. Analysis ongoing. Paper expected: early February 2025

Aim 2: Identify preferences for CAB LA implementation and heterogeneity among AYA and healthcare workers (HCWs) utilizing an online discrete choice experiment and client surveys.

Aim status: Under review at BREC/IRB, expected early 2025 – early 2026

Aim 3: Specify implementation strategies to support CAB-LA use and persistence utilizing health care worker interviews and participatory meetings with young persons and caregivers.

Aim status: Under review at BREC/IRB, expected early 2025 – early 2026

Support implementation, data collection, and analysis of human-centered design workshop to identify implementation strategies for initiation and persistence on cabotegravir-long acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among young people and caregivers; Observe data collection of surveys among among persons using cabotegravir-long acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis; Support quantitative data analysis of best-worst scaling and/or other survey data; Support data collection and/or analysis of interviews with healthcare workers; Support paper writing. Specific tasks will align with student skill set and interests.

a well-established Zambian NGO (est. 2001) with a history of NGO-academic partnerships. It is a vibrant practice and research community interested in high-quality HIV, TB, women's health, child health, community outreach, implementation science, and health systems strengthening work. There is a large (>100 people) head office in Lusaka, Zambia, from which the student would work, and staff members at health facilities throughout the country. It is a dynamic, learning-oriented environment where the student can learn about health research and practice and offer learning opportunities to others.

Is interested in data analysis (quantitative or qualitative) and has a strong interest and skill set in mixed methods implementation research; has some prior international experience, ideally in sub-Saharan Africa (not required); would like to see how an organization that is both an implementing partner of the Government of Zambia in health care and a research institution run by a Zambian NGO operates and thrives. It is important that the student is interested in learning exchange - both learning from and sharing skills with - Zambian colleagues. The placement is good for someone who can be flexible and is interested in supporting ongoing projects as a team player.

Strong quantitative data analysis skills and/or strong qualitative data analysis skills -any skills set should be accompanied by an interested in mixed-methods and implementation research.

Name: Laura Beres, laura.beres@jhu.edu 

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

Communication: Open and detail-oriented; Mentorship: collaborative, focused on mutually determined goals, supportive but interested in student initiative

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

Goal-oriented, flexible and communicative

Estimated costs:

Housing: $900/month airbnb rental (likely free accommodation available for month of July and early August, to be confirmed); Food: $300 (Kwacha 8,000/month) ; Internet: $20/month (Kwacha 500/month) (lots of) data and sim card; Local transportation: $600/month (Kwacha 300 per trip from location to office (or destination) in Yango / local taxi, two trips per day) Total: $1,820/month

Additional support from PI:

The project will cover airfare and the temporary work permit fee of Kwacha 18,000 (approx. $650).