Adding sexual-pleasure conversations to harm reduction services for MSM and transgender people who do chemsex in Thailand
Integrating Sexual Pleasure Into Harm Reduction Services for Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Persons Who Engage in Chemsex or Substance Use in Thailand
This project will try using a 'Pleasuremeter' to guide sexual-pleasure conversations in harm reduction services for MSM and transgender people who engage in chemsex or substance use in Thailand to see if it improves sexual health, substance use, and related outcomes.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Institute of HIV Research and Innovation Foundation, Thailand Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pathum Wan, Bangkok) |
| Trial ID | NCT07509853 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a sequential exploratory mixed-methods implementation project at the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation clinics in Bangkok. The work begins with qualitative interviews to adapt the 'Pleasuremeter' tool and then integrates the tool into harm reduction service encounters. About 300 participants will be enrolled and followed at baseline, month 3, and month 6 to track sexual pleasure, behavioral risk, substance use, HIV/STI testing, mental health, and socio-legal factors. The study also measures acceptability, satisfaction, and feasibility of using a pleasure-based approach in existing services.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) in Thailand who are men who have sex with men, transgender women or men, or non-binary people who have engaged in chemsex or substance use in the past 12 months and can provide informed consent in Thai.
Not a fit: People who cannot communicate in Thai, are younger than 18, or have not engaged in chemsex or recent substance use are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve engagement with harm reduction services, increase HIV/STI testing and safer behaviors, and better address sexual wellbeing for MSM and transgender people who do chemsex.
How similar studies have performed: Pleasure-focused sexual-health approaches are relatively novel; while some behavioral harm-reduction programs for people who use drugs have shown benefits, integrating a 'Pleasuremeter' into clinical services in this population and setting is largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * MSM, transgender women, transgender men, or non-binary persons * Age ≥18 years * Engaged in chemsex or substance use within past 12 months * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: • Unable to communicate in Thai sufficiently to complete study procedures
Where this trial is running
Pathum Wan, Bangkok
- Tangerine Clinic, Institute of HIV Research and Innovation — Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Akarin Hiransuthikul, MD,MSc — Chulalongkorn University
- Study coordinator: Nittaya Phanuphak, MD,PhD.
- Email: nittaya.p@ihri.org
- Phone: 6681 825 3544
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.