INSPIRE Initiative for HIV Prevention

(INSPIRE Trial)

This trial aims to refine and test a new approach to prevent HIV among Chinese immigrant female sex workers (FSWs) working in massage parlors in Queens, NYC. Researchers seek to determine if this new support method is both practical and welcomed by the community. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving the intervention (the INSPIRE Initiative) and the other serving as a comparison. Women who are at least 18 years old, identify as Chinese, and have worked in a massage parlor providing sexual services in the past year may be eligible, provided they haven't had an HIV test in the last three months or know they are HIV-positive. The trial will also include interviews and focus groups to gather more insights from participants and community members. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to innovative community health solutions.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Research has shown that the INSPIRE Initiative is being tested to determine its effectiveness in preventing HIV. Although specific safety data for this initiative is not yet available, the trial remains in its early stages. Researchers are still assessing how well participants tolerate the intervention.

Researchers are excited about the INSPIRE Initiative for HIV Prevention because it targets a specific at-risk group, female sex workers, offering a potentially more tailored approach to HIV prevention. Unlike traditional prevention methods like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills, which require daily adherence, the INSPIRE Initiative may incorporate innovative strategies that fit better with the lifestyles and needs of these women. This initiative is also expected to address the social and environmental factors that increase risk, offering a more comprehensive prevention strategy. By focusing on this unique population and integrating a broader range of protective measures, the initiative holds promise for significantly reducing new HIV infections within this vulnerable group.

Research shows that the INSPIRE Initiative focuses on preventing HIV among Chinese immigrant women who work as sex workers in Queens, NYC. Participants in this trial will be randomized into two groups: the Intervention Group, which will receive the INSPIRE Initiative intervention, and the Control Group. Although specific data on its effectiveness for this group is limited, similar programs have aimed to improve health and prevent HIV. The initiative employs both group and one-on-one methods to change behavior, which have been tested in other contexts. For instance, past studies have used these methods with HIV-positive individuals, helping them remain in care and modify their behavior, though results have varied. While specific outcomes of this trial are still being assessed, the approach is based on proven prevention methods.¹⁴⁵⁶⁷