# Leveraging HIV infrastructure to implement cervical cancer prevention: A study to integrate HPV vaccination in adolescent HIV clinics in Zambia

> **NIH NIH U01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $125,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a WHO-endorsed, evidence-based tool that can prevent up to
90% of cervical cancer cases by preventing HPV infection when administered prior to exposure to HPV and it
is recommended for girls ages 9-14. However, HPV vaccine coverage is low in low- and middle- income
countries (LMICS) where risk of dying from cervical cancer is high, especially in Zambia (site of parent grant;
UO1CA275033). REACH aims to increase access to and uptake of the vaccine using implementation science
methods. However, implementation science is a field developed in the U.S. and only recently has started to
recognize the importance of explicitly recognizing equity in the implementation process. Transposing
approaches from high income countries risks failure when misunderstanding contexts, relying on leadership
and expertise from HICs, and maintaining colonization practices This supplement project, responding to the
call for Administrative Supplements for NCI Global Oncology Mentored Research (NOT-CA-24-028), is a
methods study aiming to explicitly investigate how equity and decolonization practices can be embedded in
capacity building practices and implementation process. This is a methods-focused study aiming to strengthen
Dr. Asante's knowledge and skills on implementation science with a focus on team collaboration. To achieve
these goals, we will adapt an evidence-based matrix mentoring model for global collaboration, including self,
senior, scientific, staff mentors and sponsors. We conceptualize equity as a process aimed at reducing
disparities and its root causes, including social, structural, and political determinants. Centering equity in
implementation entails building trusting relationships, dismantling power structures, and investing in strategies
that advance equity. We will use methods of reflexivity based on Alexander et al's. model to enhance personal
and team awareness of their own positionality. The model proposes that three reflexivity practices (reflexivity
in, on, and underlying action) are tied to five actions from the Ottawa Charter: a) building healthy public policy,
(b) creating supportive environments, (c) strengthening community actions, (d) developing personal skills, and
(e) reorienting health services. Based on this model, Dr. Asante will: (1) Center equity in the REACH team
using Alexanders' three types of reflexivity, and (2) Center equity in the development of the
implementation strategies. The project will produce a needed outline of methods for the field of
implementation science on how to explicitly outline reflexivity and center equity during the implementation
mapping process. This supplement will also strengthen Dr. Asante's skills in global research leadership as an
implementation scientist, supporting her to reach her mid-term goal to MPI an R01 in implementing color
cancer screening in Zambia, further enabling her to reach her long-term goal of launching her own independent
r...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11089017
- **Project number:** 3U01CA275033-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jean Marie Hunleth
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $125,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-06 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11089017

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11089017, Leveraging HIV infrastructure to implement cervical cancer prevention: A study to integrate HPV vaccination in adolescent HIV clinics in Zambia (3U01CA275033-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11089017. Licensed CC0.

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