Mobile support to help young transgender women start and stay on PrEP
Optimizing an mHealth intervention to improve uptake and adherence of the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in vulnerable adolescents and emerging adults
A mobile phone program to help young transgender women in Thailand start and stick with HIV prevention medicine (PrEP).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11373162 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be offered a short, two-session, technology-delivered motivational program (MES-PrEP) adapted for young Thai transgender women along with an enhanced YaCool smartphone app that includes reminders and tailored messages for gender/sexual health and PrEP. The team will refine the app and messaging with input from participants and then pilot the combined program to see whether people use the tools and continue PrEP. Participation would involve using the app, receiving text messages, completing brief motivational sessions, and attending follow-up checks. The pilot focuses on feasibility, acceptability, and early signals that the approach helps with PrEP uptake and daily adherence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Young transgender women ages 18–29 who are HIV-negative, at risk for HIV, living in Thailand, and willing to use a smartphone app and receive text messages.
Not a fit: People living with HIV, those outside the targeted age or gender group, or individuals without reliable smartphone access are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could raise PrEP starts and daily use among young transgender women and reduce their risk of HIV infection.
How similar studies have performed: Mobile apps, text-message reminders, and motivational interviewing have improved PrEP adherence in some groups, but combining and tailoring these tools specifically for young Thai transgender women is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Bo — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Wang, Bo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.