NCT Number: NCT07584122
This study aims to improve access to HIV prevention using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among underserved populations in Rio de Janeiro, including gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and sex workers. Despite the proven effectiveness of PrEP, many people at higher risk of HIV face barriers to accessing and continuing this prevention method, especially those living in socially and economically vulnerable communities.
The study will evaluate whether offering PrEP directly in community-based settings-such as non-governmental organizations, mobile health units, and through telehealth and digital tools-can increase its uptake and continued use. Participants who test negative for HIV will be offered daily oral PrEP, along with counseling and follow-up support. Those who test positive will be referred for appropriate treatment.
The main hypothesis is that delivering PrEP in community settings, combined with supportive strategies like mobile health interventions, will be feasible, acceptable, and more effective in reaching and engaging vulnerable populations, ultimately helping to reduce new HIV infections.
Interested in participating?
Request Info15 year and older
All sexes
Interventional
Not applicable
Hospital Geral de Nova Iguaçu, Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The PrEPOUT Rio Study is designed to evaluate the implementation of community-based strategies to expand access to and engagement with oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among underserved populations in Rio de Janeiro and the metropolitan area, including Nova Iguaçu. The study focuses on populations disproportionately affected by HIV, such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, other sexual and gender minorities, and sex workers.
The study will be conducted in three phases. The formative phase will use qualitative methods, including focus group discussions with key stakeholders and members of the target population, to identify barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake and to inform the adaptation of community-based delivery strategies.
In the implementation phase, PrEP will be offered in non-traditional settings, including community-based organizations and mobile health units, aiming to reduce structural and social barriers to access. Trained healthcare staff will provide on-site HIV testing, counseling, and PrEP initiation. Participants who test HIV-negative will be offered daily oral PrEP, while those diagnosed with HIV will be promptly referred for treatment within the public health system. The study will also incorporate supportive strategies such as telehealth consultations and mobile health (mHealth) interventions to enhance adherence, retention, and engagement in care.
The evaluation phase will include both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess implementation and clinical outcomes. Quantitative data will be collected through structured questionnaires and clinical assessments to evaluate PrEP uptake, adherence, persistence, and HIV incidence, as well as the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Qualitative data from follow-up focus groups will provide insights into participants' experiences and perceptions of community-based PrEP delivery models.
The primary objective is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering PrEP in community-based settings. Secondary objectives include evaluating engagement with telehealth and digital tools, identifying barriers and facilitators to PrEP use, and assessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) outcomes in the study population. The findings are expected to inform scalable strategies to improve equitable access to HIV prevention services in settings with significant social and structural inequalities.
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Participants will receive daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC), in accordance with Brazilian national guidelines for HIV prevention. PrEP will be offered to eligible individuals who test HIV-negative at enrollment and during follow-up, with clinical monitoring and counseling provided as part of routine care.
Participants will receive HIV prevention services through community-based delivery strategies designed to reduce barriers to access. These include provision of services in non-traditional settings such as non-governmental organizations and mobile health units, with on-site HIV testing, counseling, and same-day PrEP initiation by trained healthcare staff.
Participants will have access to telehealth consultations and mobile health (mHealth) interventions to support engagement in care, adherence to PrEP, and retention in follow-up. These strategies may include remote clinical support, digital communication tools, and tailored adherence support interventions.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Feasibility will be assessed by the proportion of planned community-based PrEP service delivery activities successfully implemented. Indicators will include: (1) number of community-based sites activated, (2) number of individuals screened for HIV, and (3) number of participants initiating PrEP. Results will be summarized using counts and proportions.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Acceptability will be assessed using participant-reported outcomes collected through a structured acceptability questionnaire with Likert-scale items. Scores will range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability of the intervention.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Proportion of eligible participants who initiate PrEP after HIV testing and counseling in community-based settings.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Proportion of participants who remain engaged in PrEP care over time, including continued use of PrEP and attendance at follow-up visits.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Number of new HIV infections diagnosed among study participants during the follow-up period.
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation
Other
Bringing PrEP to Underserved Communities in Rio de Janeiro: the PrEPOUT Rio Study
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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