Evaluation of mHealth Intervention to Promote HIV Prevention and Overcome Stigma Among Transgender Women (EMPOW.HER)

Evaluation of mHealth Intervention to Promote HIV Prevention and Overcome Stigma Among Transgender Women (EMPOW.HER)

This study aims to develop and evaluate a multi-component mHealth intervention (mHC and FRESH) to reduce HIV-related and intersectional stigma and improve PrEP use among HIV-negative young transgender women (TGW) in Thailand.

This study uses a Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) design to adapt, refine, and evaluate two mobile-based interventions: Mobile Healthy Choices (mHC) and Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH). The interventions are designed to address stigma, improve empowerment, and enhance uptake and adherence to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The study includes formative research, intervention adaptation, beta testing, and a pilot factorial randomized trial among TGW aged 18-29 in Bangkok, Thailand, with follow-up over 6 months

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-29 years
• Male sex at birth
• Self-identify as transgender woman/female spectrum
• HIV-negative (laboratory confirmed)
• Recent condomless sex
• Able to understand Thai
• Not on PrEP or poorly adherent (≤3 pills/week)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious cognitive or psychiatric condition affecting consent
• Active suicidal ideation or major mental illness
• Medical contraindications to PrEP
• Enrolled in another HIV intervention study