Integrated Online-to-offline (O2O) Model of Care for HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Transgender Women (CINTAI)

June 10, 2026 updated by: Roman Shrestha, University of Connecticut

An Online HIV Self-testing Intervention With Online-to-offline Linkage to Care for Transgender Women

The proposed research focuses on developing and testing a web-based platform, called Jom-TestPlus, that will incorporate HIV self-testing (HIVST) with real-time e-counseling (eHIVST) with online-to-offline (O2O) linkage to HIV prevention and treatment services while simultaneously co-addressing chemsex-related needs for transgender women (TGW) in Malaysia. This model represents a potentially impactful strategy for reaching marginalized populations, like TGW, and allows immediate engagement in the post-test linkage process to prevention or treatment services.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Globally, transgender women (TGW) are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic, with an estimated HIV prevalence of 19.1%. Malaysia, one of SE Asia's fastest-growing economies, is witnessing a rapid transition to its HIV epidemic. Malaysia has an estimated 80,000 TGW in-country, of which 12.4% are living with HIV. TGW experience numerous unique vulnerabilities to HIV, including discrimination in employment and economic opportunities, steering many TGW into high-risk occupations, such as sex work. High levels of stigma and discrimination against TGW by healthcare providers can foster a hostile environment toward TGW, complicating efforts to scale-up of HIV testing and prevention services among trans women, including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Modeling studies suggest that increased HIV testing and uptake of PrEP is the most impactful and cost-effective strategy for reducing new infections. Despite this, only 37% of TGW in Malaysia have ever been HIV tested. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be particularly impactful among TGW in Malaysia, where anti-trans stigma persists. Although willingness to use HIVST is high (48%) among Malaysian TGW, its use is still minimal due to a lack of access to HIVST kits, concerns related to misinterpreting results, and missed opportunities for counseling and linkage to care. In this context, eHealth represents an innovative platform to transform the face of HIV service delivery (i.e., HIVST and linkage to care). Leveraging eHealth technology for HIV services delivery is ideal given that nearly all (>93.6%) TGW use online technology (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer) and indicate a strong preference for a web-based platform for HIVST. As such, HIVST with real-time e-counseling (eHIVST), integrated with online-to-offline (O2O) linkage to prevention and treatment, offers an innovative and empowering approach that could transform TGW's uptake of HIV testing and engagement in the broader HIV care continuum. This proposal - submitted in response to the Notice of Special Interest (Administrative Supplements for Research on Sexual and Gender Minority Populations; NOT-OD-22-032) - requests an SGM administrative supplement to add a sample of TGW to parent award (R34MH130233), a project that focuses on developing and testing a web-based platform, called Jom-TestPlus, that will incorporate an O2O service delivery model with eHIVST that facilitates rapid linkage to the HIV prevention and treatment continuum for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia. Expanding Jom-TestPlus to include TGW represents a significant opportunity to leverage existing resources from the parent award to address HIV and other health inequities among broader SGM populations. If successful, Jom-TestPlus will serve as a model that can easily be adapted for various health outcomes and healthcare services delivery in these populations and other LMICs.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
50

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Malaysia
    • Kuala Lumpur
      • Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 59990
        • Centre of Excellence for Research in Infectious Diseases and AIDS (CERiA), University Malaya

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥18 years;
  • Cisgender male;
  • HIV-negative or HIV status unknown;
  • Own or have access to a computer, tablet, or internet-enabled smartphone

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently on PrEP
  • Unable to provide informed consent
  • Unable to read and understand English or Bahasa Malaysia

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: CINTAI
Participants randomized to the Jom-TestPlus group will have access to all Jom-TestPlus features, including: assessment center; online registration; risk calculator; HIVST kit order, management, and monitoring; automated reminders; real-time e-counseling (eHIVST, active referral services); chemsex-related harm reduction services (screening, chemsex e-counseling, PartyPack ordering), chat function (ability to chat with counselors and research staff); and knowledge center (multimedia library on information and resources on HIV testing, PrEP, treatment, risks, and chemsex). Participants will follow a defined pathway to accessing HIVST kit ordering, e-counseling, and subsequent O2O linkage to clinical services.
Behavioral: Online to offline counseling
  • Online registration and risk assessment: Users complete an onboarding process comprised of creating an account, entering demographic data, customizing settings, and completing the baseline risk assessment.
  • HIVST kit order, management, and monitoring: The platform will allow users to request HIVST kits via standard mail or self-pickup at user-preferred sites (e.g., LGBT-friendly clinics). After completing the mandatory section of the questionnaire and selecting a delivery option, a random personal identification number will be assigned by the system, which will be used to track future HIVST requests, collect HIVST results, and monitor subsequent linkage to further testing and HIV care.
  • eHIVST and O2O linkage to HIV clinical services: After unsealing the test kit, participants will find a reminder card to schedule their O2O pre- and post-test e-counseling appointment.
Active Comparator: Control
The TAU group will have access to the assessment center (risk assessment, follow-up surveys), knowledge center (multimedia library on information and resources on HIV testing, PrEP, treatment, risks, and chemsex), and a voucher for no-cost community-based HIV testing (sent via secure, encrypted email or can be downloaded on the Jom-TestPlus).
Behavioral: Online to offline counseling
  • Online registration and risk assessment: Users complete an onboarding process comprised of creating an account, entering demographic data, customizing settings, and completing the baseline risk assessment.
  • HIVST kit order, management, and monitoring: The platform will allow users to request HIVST kits via standard mail or self-pickup at user-preferred sites (e.g., LGBT-friendly clinics). After completing the mandatory section of the questionnaire and selecting a delivery option, a random personal identification number will be assigned by the system, which will be used to track future HIVST requests, collect HIVST results, and monitor subsequent linkage to further testing and HIV care.
  • eHIVST and O2O linkage to HIV clinical services: After unsealing the test kit, participants will find a reminder card to schedule their O2O pre- and post-test e-counseling appointment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
HIVST uptake
Time Frame: Time Frame: 3 and 6 months post-randomization
Uptake of HIV self-testing (yes/no) will be assessed at each follow-up time point (3 and 6 months) using self-reported measure.
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months post-randomization
Linkage to PrEP
Time Frame: Time Frame: 3 and 6 months post-randomization
Linked to PrEP (yes/no) will be assessed at each follow-up time point (3 and 6 months) using self-reported measure.
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months post-randomization
Linkage to HIV treatment services
Time Frame: Time Frame: 3 and 6 months post-randomization
Linked to ART services (yes/no) will be assessed at each follow-up time point (3 and 6 months) using self-reported measure.
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months post-randomization

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Connecticut

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University of Malaya

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 13, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 20, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 18, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 15, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 15, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 18, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 10, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • B2024-000

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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