Site initiation Visit – breakfast meeting – External PI – how prepared Ciheb-Kenya is on this

This quarter marked a major step in the preparation of a new clinical trial focused on Smoking Cessation and reduction of Unhealthy alcohol use among people living with HIV.

The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health and implemented in collaboration with academic partners, is designed to evaluate both clinical effectiveness and real-world feasibility.

As part of the preparatory work, Ciheb-Kenya and its partners have achieved over 95% readiness for study implementation. Key milestones completed during the quarter include staff recruitment and training, development and testing of data systems, site readiness assessments, and comprehensive operational planning. In parallel, regulatory processes have been concluded, with final approvals currently in the final stages of confirmation.

A key highlight of the quarter was the successful Site Initiation Visit, which brought together international investigators and local implementation teams. The visit served to validate site preparedness, align on study procedures, and confirm readiness to proceed with implementation across participating sites.

This study builds on Ciheb-Kenya’s previous work in smoking cessation and reflects growing recognition that long-term HIV outcomes are closely linked to addressing co-occurring risk factors such as tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption.

As implementation approaches, this study is expected to contribute valuable evidence to inform future programming and policy, strengthening the case for holistic, patient-centered care models. Ultimately, it reinforces Ciheb-Kenya’s continued commitment to translating research into practical interventions that improve health outcomes for communities.