# Strategies to Prevent HIV Acquisition Among Transgender MSM in the US

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $676,347

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Transgender men who have sex with men (trans MSM) are at-risk of HIV acquisition in the US and require
gender-affirming culturally responsive biobehavioral HIV prevention strategies. The goal of the proposed study
is to assess the ability of digitally delivered peer-based strategies to improve PrEP uptake in PrEP-indicated
HIV-negative adult trans MSM (defined behaviorally as sex with a person who has a penis). This study
proposes a digital open-label randomized 2x2 factorial trial (1:1:1:1 randomization) of peer-delivered HIV
prevention strategies designed to increase PrEP uptake in trans MSM residing in high HIV incidence
geographic hotspots in the Eastern and Southern US. The specific aims are to: (1) Compare the efficacy of
individual (PrEP4T: one-on-one peer navigation) and group-based (LifeSkills for Men: small group-based
behavioral intervention) peer-delivered HIV prevention strategies implemented over 6 mo to increase PrEP
uptake (primary outcome) in 300 PrEP-indicated HIV-negative adult trans MSM; (2) Examine mechanisms by
which peer-delivered interventions impact PrEP uptake focusing on healthcare empowerment, trans
community support, and information, motivation, and behavioral skills; and (3) Explore PrEP decision-making
and intervention experiences qualitatively. Biobehavioral assessments will be conducted every 3 mo for 21 mo
with self-administered surveys; remote HIV self-testing (4th gen tests) and biologic measures of PrEP via
emtricitabine triphosphate (FTC-TP) and tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) using dried blood spots (DBS) to
evaluate uptake of approved TFV-based PrEP regimens in this population; and STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia,
syphilis) via electronic medical record (EMR) releases. The team will use a participatory population perspective
to work “with” not “on” trans MSM ensuring meaningful participation of trans MSM. The proposed study is
significant by addressing HIV prevention in an underserved NIH health disparities population and will fill critical
gaps in biobehavioral HIV prevention and peer-engaged approaches. The study is aligned with US national
priorities to implement integrated strategies for HIV prevention in at-risk populations in high HIV incidence
geographic hotspots and will advance the 2021-2025 National Strategic Plan to End the HIV epidemic.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11088497
- **Project number:** 7R01MH129175-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Sari Reisner
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $676,347
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2024-05-15 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11088497

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11088497, Strategies to Prevent HIV Acquisition Among Transgender MSM in the US (7R01MH129175-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11088497. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*