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NCT Number: NCT06931106

Behavioral Intervention for PrEP Service Utilization Among Chinese MSM: A HAPA and CEI Integrated Model

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, intelligent intervention platform in bridging the "intention-behavior gap" for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, a population at high risk for HIV infection. The study aims to address the following main questions:

* Can the intervention platform, guided by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) and Conditional Economic Incentive (CEI) dual-track theoretical framework, significantly increase PrEP initiation rates among MSM? * What are the key mechanisms and pathways underlying the transition from PrEP intention to actual usage behavior?

Researchers will compare participants receiving the intelligent intervention platform (intervention group) with those receiving basic PrEP information (control group) to determine the platform's impact on PrEP initiation rates. Participants will:

* Use a mobile health platform equipped with personalized HIV risk assessments, PrEP knowledge resources, action planning tools, peer support features, and economic incentives. * Complete baseline and follow-up surveys at 3 months and 6 months to assess PrEP initiation, adherence, and related behaviors. * Engage in peer group activities and receive tailored feedback based on their progress.

This study seeks to provide evidence for scalable and sustainable strategies to improve PrEP uptake and contribute to HIV prevention efforts in high-risk populations.

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Key information

Conditions

HIV Behavior Behavior Changes Homosexuality MSM PreP Sexual Behavior Sexuality

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • ≥18 years at enrollment;
  • Assigned male at birth with a history of ≥1 male-male sexual encounter (anal or oral intercourse);
  • HIV-negative confirmed by antibody testing at baseline;
  • No prior use of PrEP;
  • Expressed interest in PrEP intervention and commitment to complete scheduled follow-ups and data collection procedures;
  • Mentally competent to provide informed consent and participate in decision-making;
  • High HIV risk (meeting ≥1 of the following in the past 6 months): (1) Condomless anal/penile-vaginal intercourse; (2)Shared needle use during illicit drug injection; (3) Sexual contact with HIV-positive partner(s); (4) Newly diagnosed STI; (5) Repeated use of PEP for HIV prevention; or (6) Self-identified as PrEP candidate through voluntary request.

Exclusion criteria

  • Confirmed HIV-positive status or unknown serostatus with refusal of HIV testing;
  • Clinically significant health conditions contraindicating PrEP use (e.g., creatinine clearance <60 mL/min, documented hypersensitivity to PrEP components);
  • Severe mental illness or neurological disorders impairing informed consent process.

Treatment and study plan

HAPA and CEI behavioral intervention

Behavioral

The intervention group will receive a 3-month technology-facilitated PrEP intervention and tailored messages will be developed using BCTs based on theoretical guidance. PrEP teleconsultations will be delivered by certified healthcare professionals, including infectious disease specialists, CDC-affiliated prevention officers, and MSM community leaders. Participants will be stratified into peer cohorts through algorithm-driven grouping based on demographic characteristics. Six participants will form a peer group, and the economic incentive amount will be based on the group-level PrEP initiation rates (verified by physician prescriptions). The economic incentive will decrease progressively based on the average completion rate within the group and will be divided into three tiers: 22 USD (completion rate of 80-100%), 11 USD (completion rate of 50-79%), and 0 USD (completion rate <50%).

HAPA-based intervention

Behavioral

This group receives information pushes via a mini-program (3 messages per week) and two brief PrEP consultations; the first brief consultation is delivered jointly by community volunteers and a physician immediately after the baseline survey completion, based on a standardized consultation outline, and the second brief consultation is delivered jointly by community volunteers and a physician after the completion of the first monthly assessment (conducted within the mini-program), based on the standardized consultation outline and the results of that monthly assessment.

Primary outcomes

  1. PrEP Initiation

    Time frame: 3 months

    The primary outcome indicators of this study is the rate of PrEP initiation, based on PrEP prescriptions issued by doctors.

Secondary outcomes

  1. PrEP adherence

    Time frame: 3 months

    Secondary outcome indicators include the rate of PrEP adherence after initiating (based on self-reported adherence and the medication calendar in the program). Self-reported adherence: Assessed via validated questionnaires (e.g., visual analog scales or Likert scales) integrated into the mini-program, capturing missed doses, timing, and barriers. Medication calendar: Digitally tracked in the mini-program, recording daily PrEP intake with automated reminders and timestamped logs.

    Adherence rate calculated as the proportion of prescribed doses taken (e.g., ≥80% adherence threshold).

  2. Intention to pay for PrEP

    Time frame: 3 months

    Structured questionnaires evaluating willingness to use three PrEP types (daily oral, on-demand, long-acting injectable) and maximum acceptable out-of-pocket payment (Likert scales (1-5) for willingness).

  3. PrEP-related stigma

    Time frame: 3 months

    10-item HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Stigma Scale (HPSS) will be used to measure the PrEP-related stigma. The response format is 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree).

  4. Changes in condomless sex

    Time frame: 3 months

    Retrospective self-reporting: Number of condomless acts in the past 3 months.

  5. Changes in sexual partner numbers

    Time frame: 3 months

    Retrospective self-reporting: Number of sexual partners in the past 3 months

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Hao Lin

CONTACT

[email protected]

+86 18610528952

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Peking University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Behavioral Intervention to Enhance HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Service Utilization Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China Based on Health Action Process Approach and Conditional Economic Incentives

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 4, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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