This study evaluates a comprehensive transgender-tailored harm reduction service for transgender women, transgender men, and non-binary individuals engaging in chemsex or substance use in Thailand, focusing on PrEP uptake, HIV/STI outcomes, mental health, and socio-legal impacts.
The iT-REX study is a prospective mixed-methods implementation study conducted at Tangerine Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. It is part of a two-phase project using the EPIS framework to develop and implement a comprehensive harm reduction service tailored for transgender populations engaging in chemsex or substance use. Approximately 140 HIV-negative participants aged ≥18 years will be enrolled and followed for 12 months with visits at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The study evaluates behavioral risks, substance use, HIV/STIs, mental health, and socio-legal outcomes. A subset of participants will undergo qualitative interviews to assess implementation outcomes such as acceptability, feasibility, and satisfaction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
140
A comprehensive, multi-component harm reduction service tailored for transgender individuals engaging in chemsex, substance use, implemented at Tangerine Clinic. The intervention includes: 1. Substance Use Harm Reduction * Drug-specific literacy, safer use education * Counseling on overdose prevention and safer consumption * Provision of harm reduction kits 2. Sexual Health Services * HIV testing * STI screening and treatment (CT/NG, syphilis, HBV, HCV) * Provision of PrEP including: * Daily oral PrEP * Event-driven PrEP 3. Mental Health Services * Screening using: * Electronic Mental Wellness Tool * Community Mental Wellness Tool * Referral to psychiatric care when indicated 4. Socio-legal Support * Counseling on stigma, discrimination, and legal issues * Support for gender-affirming care access
Tangerine Clinic, Institute of HIV Research and Innovation
Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand
RECRUITINGPrEP uptake among eligible participants
Proportion of participants who initiate any form of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (daily oral PrEP or event-driven PrEP) during the 12-month follow-up period among those not on PrEP at baseline. Metric: Percentage (%)
Time frame: Baseline to Month 12
PrEP adherence based on self-reported adherence
Proportion of participants reporting consistent use of PrEP according to the prescribed regimen (daily or event-driven), assessed using self-report during follow-up visits. Metric:Percentage (%) A. PrEP adherence (self-report) * Metric: % B. PrEP adherence (visit-based adherence score) * Metric: score (scale range 0-100)
Time frame: Months 3, 6, 9, and 12
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