Kristien Wouters

Kristien Wouters is a clinical doctor and researcher affiliated with the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp. She works in the HIV/STI-clinic, providing care for patients living with HIV/AIDS and STIs, and coordinates the 'Helpcenter,' a low-threshold center for HIV/STI testing focusing on high-risk groups like migrants and men who have sex with men. Her primary role involves secondary HIV prevention through diagnosis and counseling, alongside primary prevention efforts. She holds a Master's in Medicine from the University of Antwerp and completed a Tropical Medicine specialization at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (2001–2002).

Research Focus: Her work emphasizes public health interventions in HIV/STI prevention, epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant pathogens like Mycoplasma genitalium, and healthcare access for marginalized populations. She also investigates outcomes in corneal transplantation and quality-of-life issues in hematological disorders.

Recent Research Trends: Recent studies address online self-sampling for HIV/STI testing, barriers to PrEP use among migrants, and antibiotic resistance patterns in bacterial STIs. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals like BMJ Open and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Affiliations & Roles: She serves as Chair of Viva Africa, an external organization. Her work bridges clinical practice, research, and public health advocacy, particularly in Belgium and tropical medicine contexts.

Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary teams focused on infectious disease control and global health equity, coordinating multicenter trials and community-based screening initiatives.