The Mombasa HIV/STD Research Site, established in 1993, is a collaborative effort of the University of Nairobi, the University of Washington (UW), the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Mombasa County, the Ministry of Health, Coast General Hospital (CGH), the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) and the US President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Since 1993, the Mombasa Field Site has provided VCT to >9,500 and on-going care to >3,600 at-risk and HIV-positive women, trained >50 Kenyan researchers, and published >200 manuscripts presenting the findings of HIV and STD prevention, treatment, and pathogenesis studies

The 25th Anniversary Symposium aims to celebrate 25-years of collaborative research at the site. The symposium will be held on January 18th and 19th at the Mnarani Club in Kilifi, Kenya.

For more information please see the agenda

The content of each session will be curated by the steering committee, with an emphasis on and celebration of the diversity of investigators and research topics. Presentations will include four general areas of research:

(1) Basic Science/Laboratory Research:

Since 1993, the site has conducted groundbreaking research into the immunological and virological characteristics of acute and chronic HIV-1 infection in the Mombasa Cohort. They have also studied HIV superinfection and associated immunological factors. The UoN/UW Laboratory has gained regional recognition, and supports research on HIV and STIs for investigators throughout East Africa. Presenters will highlight the work of this laboratory and of collaborators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

(2) Clinical Epidemiology:

The Mombasa Cohort has collected data from a cohort of >3,700 women over the last 25 years. These data have contributed major scientific breakthroughs including some of the earliest data highlighting the potential impact of hormonal contraceptives, STDs, and vaginal dysbiosis on HIV susceptibility in women. The cohort has also been central to our advancing understanding of the role of antiretroviral therapy for prevention of HIV transmission.

(3) Behavioral Research:

Behavior and prevention researchers have explored the impact of intimate partner violence, drugs/alcohol use, and risk behaviors on HIV incidence and transmission.

(4) Implementation Science:

As multiple efficacious HIV prevention strategies have become available in recent years, the Mombasa HIV/STD Research Site has initiated research seeking to translate these scientific achievements into long-lasting, scalable interventions that benefit women at risk for HIV infection or infected with HIV.

(5) PrEP:

With PrEP now available as an option for treatment and prevention, we will focus on what we have learned in this area. As PrEP research is a target area for expansion of research and services at the Research Site.