MWOTAJI: Making women’s options for HIV prevention in Tanzania accessible, and joining in implementation science capacity building

APPROACH

To determine the strongest and most sustainable version of the Malkia Klabu (“Queen Club”) implementation strategy for pharmacy-based PrEP and HIV self-testing (HIVST) delivery to AGYW.

GOAL

The Mwotaji (“Dreamer” in Kiswahili) Clinical Research Center is part of a consortium of research teams funded through the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative, Prevention And Treatment through a Comprehensive Care Continuum for HIV-affected Adolescents in Resource Settings Implementation Science Network Constrained (PATC³H-IN). The network aims to conduct clinical and implementation research and evaluations of a variety of combination interventions to improve health outcomes among adolescents with or at risk for HIV. The research and capacity building activities conducted as part of the Mwotaji CRC will be implemented from late 2023 to 2028.

PROJECT RATIONALE
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in
sub-Saharan Africa experience a disproportionate burden of HIV, yet face many barriers when
accessing highly effective HIV prevention, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Health systems often struggle to meet the needs of young people, who may experience barriers such as inconvenient clinic schedules and stigma.
Community pharmacies can bridge these gaps.
The goal of the Mwotaji Clinical Research Center (CRC) is to identify and evaluate feasible and effective models to amplify AGYW access to sexual and reproductive health services at community pharmacies. In addition, the Mwotaji CRC will build a strong, sustainable network of researchers, implementers, and government officials trained in implementation science to serve AGYW needs now and in the future.