Improving HIV treatment and well-being for young men who have sex with men in Ho Chi Minh City
BEYOND Study: Bridging Equity, Youth, And Optimal Nurture for HIV Dynamics - Enhancing Treatment and Well-Being Among Young MSM Living With HIV in Vietnam
This project will follow 300 young men (ages 18–24) living with HIV in Ho Chi Minh City for one year to see which social, mental health, and care factors are linked to staying on ART and keeping the virus suppressed.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Vietnam Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ho Chi Minh City) |
| Trial ID | NCT07559266 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective cohort will enroll 300 YMSM aged 18–24 across four public, private, and community clinics in Ho Chi Minh City and follow them for 12 months with visits at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Data collection includes viral load, ART adherence measures, retention in care, standardized mental health and quality-of-life questionnaires, and clinic records. A purposive subset of 20–30 participants will complete in-depth qualitative interviews to explore barriers and facilitators to engagement with HIV care. No experimental intervention is delivered; the study aims to characterize patterns and drivers of treatment outcomes to inform future person-centered services and programs.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men aged 18–24 who have had sex with men in the past year, have a confirmed HIV diagnosis, are currently on ART at one of the participating clinics, live in or near Ho Chi Minh City, speak Vietnamese, and can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: People outside the 18–24 age range, not on ART, receiving care at non-participating clinics, or with severe cognitive impairment limiting consent or follow-up are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinics and community programs tailor services to improve ART adherence, retention, mental health support, and viral suppression among YMSM.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cohort and intervention work in similar populations has shown some success improving engagement and adherence with tailored services, but evidence specific to YMSM in Vietnam remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 to 24 years * Self-identified as male and reporting sex with men in the past 12 months * Confirmed HIV diagnosis according to Vietnam Ministry of Health (MOH) national HIV testing guidelines * Currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at one of the participating study clinics * Residing in Ho Chi Minh City or nearby areas and able to attend study visits at participating clinics * Able to understand and communicate in Vietnamese * Willing and able to provide informed consent and participate in study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Younger than 18 years or older than 24 years * Not currently receiving ART or receiving ART from a non-participating clinic * Severe cognitive impairment or mental health condition that, in the judgment of the research team, would interfere with the ability to provide informed consent or participation * Currently enrolled in another clinical or behavioral study that may interfere with this study * Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent or comply with study procedures
Where this trial is running
Ho Chi Minh City
- GoVap, MaiKhoi, Galant, Xomchieu — Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: An Bao, Master of Public Health
- Email: baoan.lab@gmail.com
- Phone: 0084913650536
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.