Actively Recruiting
Evaluation of mHealth Intervention to Promote HIV Prevention and Overcome Stigma Among Transgender Women (EMPOW.HER)
Led by Institute of HIV Research and Innovation Foundation, Thailand · Updated on 2026-04-03
108
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
I
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation Foundation, Thailand
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a mobile health (mHealth) intervention designed to reduce HIV-related and overlapping stigma while improving the use and adherence to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among HIV-negative young transgender women aged 18 to 29 in Thailand. This study uses a Multiphase Optimization Strategy to adapt and test two mobile-based programs, Mobile Healthy Choices (mHC) and Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH), aiming to empower participants and support better HIV prevention behaviors. Participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups: standard HIV prevention services including counseling and testing; standard counseling plus the mHC intervention consisting of four motivational interviewing sessions delivered via smartphone over three months; standard counseling plus the FRESH intervention, a six-session multimedia program also delivered via smartphone over three months; or a combination of both mHC and FRESH interventions with standard counseling. These mobile programs focus on reducing stigma and encouraging PrEP use and adherence. During the six-month follow-up, participants undergo assessments at baseline, three months, and six months to measure HIV-related stigma, PrEP uptake and adherence, and HIV testing uptake. The study involves questionnaires, interviews, and monitoring of PrEP use to evaluate the interventions' impact. This research is sponsored by the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation Foundation in Thailand and aims to improve HIV prevention strategies for transgender women.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Evaluation of mHealth Intervention to Promote HIV Prevention and Overcome Stigma Among Transgender Women (EMPOW.HER)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18-29 years
- Assigned male sex at birth
- Self-identify as transgender woman or female spectrum
- Laboratory confirmed HIV-negative
- Recent condomless sex
- Able to understand Thai language
- Not currently on PrEP or taking 3 or fewer PrEP pills per week
You will not qualify if you...
- Serious cognitive or psychiatric condition affecting ability to consent
- Active suicidal thoughts or major mental illness
- Medical reasons preventing use of PrEP
- Currently enrolled in another HIV intervention study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 3 months
Participants receive behavioral interventions delivered via smartphone over 3 months to promote HIV prevention, reduce stigma, and improve empowerment. Interventions include Mobile Healthy Choices (mHC), Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH), and Standard PrEP Counseling (SPC).
Multiple sessions delivered remotely via smartphone over 3 months
Duration - 3 months
Participants are followed for an additional 3 months after intervention completion to monitor PrEP uptake, adherence, HIV testing, and stigma levels.
Scheduled follow-up visits at Month 3 and Month 6
Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT)
Bangkok, Bangkapi, Thailand, 10240
Actively Recruiting
2
The Service Workers In Group Foundation (SWING)
Bangkok, Building 3, Patpong, Surawong Road, Thailand, 10500
Actively Recruiting
3
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI)
Bangkok, Pathumwan, Thailand, 10330
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Nittaya Phanuphak, MD,PhD.
R
Rena Janamnuaysook, MBA
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
4
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