Actively Recruiting
Vaginal Microbiome Research Consortium for Africa
Led by University of Cape Town · Updated on 2025-08-03
200
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
263 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Cape Town
Lead Sponsor
D
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
1. To characterise vaginal microbial community dynamics (bacterial and fungal) from different geographies in Africa to understand the microbial diversity that occurs in women with stable L. crispatus-dominant versus unstable vaginal microbiota. 2. To identify vaginal communities associated with low levels of inflammation in women from different geographies in Africa 3. To examine prevalence and diversity of HPV types circulating in the different geographies and their interaction with the vaginal microbiota 4. To create a biobank of stored samples that can be used in future studies and for the isolation of regionally representative bacterial strains.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Vaginal Microbiome Research Consortium for Africa
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female at birth
- Able and willing to give informed consent and understand sampling procedures
- Not pregnant
- HIV negative by study testing
- Aged 18 to 40 years
- Planning to remain in the study area for 10 weeks
- Willing and able to provide contact information for follow-up
- Willing and able to attend all 3 nurse visits and return weekly self-swabs
- Sexually active in the last 3 months with penile-vaginal intercourse at least once
You will not qualify if you...
- Male at birth
- Unwilling to provide consent
- Pregnant or actively trying to conceive during the 10-week study
- Living with HIV or having untreated STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) or bacterial vaginosis (Nugent score > 3)
- Currently on antibiotics or used antibiotics in the past 4 weeks
- Younger than 18 or older than 40 years
- Receiving treatment for gynecological chronic diseases
- Any medical condition or factor that prevents participation, including cervical cancer
- Any mental health condition that impairs consent or participation
- Enrolled in another clinical study that prohibits co-enrollment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
KEMRI
Kisumu, Kisumu County, Kenya, 40100
Actively Recruiting
2
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, 7975
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jo-Ann S Passmore, PhD
CONTACT
T
Tanya Pidwell, MSc Hons
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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