Transgender-tailored harm reduction and PrEP service for people who engage in chemsex in Bangkok
Official title: The Implementation of a Trans-tailored Harm Reduction Service for Transgender Persons in Relation to chemsEX and Substance Use (iT-REX)
Run by Institute of HIV Research and Innovation Foundation, Thailand · NCT07512856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a comprehensive harm-reduction service tailored for transgender and non-binary adults in Bangkok who engage in chemsex or substance use to increase PrEP use, reduce HIV/STIs, and address mental health and socio-legal needs.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 140 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Institute of HIV Research and Innovation Foundation, Thailand Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pathum Wan, Bangkok) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | February 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07512856 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are HIV-negative adults (≥18) who self-identify as transgender women, transgender men, or non-binary and have engaged in chemsex or substance use in the past 12 months and can provide informed consent and communicate in Thai.
✕Probably not a fit
People living with HIV, those under 18, those not engaging in chemsex or recent substance use, or those unable to communicate in Thai are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
iT-REX is a prospective mixed-methods implementation project at Tangerine Clinic in Bangkok using the EPIS framework to develop and deliver a transgender-specific harm reduction service. About 140 HIV-negative transgender women, transgender men, and non-binary adults who have engaged in chemsex or substance use in the past year will be enrolled and followed for 12 months with visits at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The study combines quantitative measures of behavioral risk, substance use, PrEP uptake, HIV/STI outcomes, mental health and socio-legal impacts with qualitative interviews of a subset to examine acceptability, feasibility, and satisfaction. Findings will inform how to implement tailored harm reduction and PrEP-support services for transgender populations in this setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the service could increase PrEP uptake, reduce HIV/STI risk, and improve mental-health and socio-legal support for transgender and non-binary people who engage in chemsex.
How similar studies have gone: Transgender-tailored and harm-reduction approaches have improved PrEP uptake and related outcomes in similar contexts, but chemsex-focused, transgender-specific implementation data remain limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Self-identified transgender women, transgender men, or non-binary persons * Age ≥18 years * HIV-negative * Engaged in chemsex or substance use within past 12 months * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: • Inability to communicate in Thai sufficiently to complete study procedures
Where it's running
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Tangerine Clinic, Institute of HIV Research and Innovation
Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nittaya Phanuphak, MD,PhD. — Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI)
- Study coordinator: Nittaya Phanuphak, MD,PhD.
- Email: nittaya.p@ihri.org
- Phone: 6681 825 3544
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.