Trans STAIR: Implementing an Evidence Based Trauma Treatment With Community Led PrEP Navigation

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorSan Diego State University

About this trial

This pilot trial will leverage "PrEP Well," an ongoing multi-level implementation strategy for providing PrEP in transgender/gender diverse (TGD)-serving contexts by integrating peer-led PrEP navigation with programming that addresses other social and structural needs of the TGD community (e.g., housing, legal, employment, gender-affirmation, primary care). PrEP Well has been implemented at the Trans Wellness Center (TWC) in LA since 2021. TWC is a first-of-its-kind community-led, trans-affirming, TGD community center made up of 5 community-based TGD service organizations that serve the local racially and ethnically diverse TGD community. Together with our community and implementation partners this NIMH-funded R34 will adapt evidence-based Skills Training in Affect and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) into a trans-affirming, culturally appropriate trauma treatment for TGD persons affected by HIV and violence (Trans STAIR); evaluate the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the Trans STAIR intervention (Phase 1 beta test; Aim 1); and conduct a Type 1: Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation pilot randomized controlled trail (Phase 2 pilot RCT; Aims 2 and 3) of PrEP Well + Trans STAIR vs. PrEP Well alone to provide preliminary support for a fully powered larger multisite R01 to test the efficacy of PrEP Well + Trans STAIR.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

identify as transgender or nonbinary (non-cisgender)

be age 18 or older

confirmed HIV-negative status

eligible for PrEP based on CDC guidelines

Disqualifiers

under 18 years old

cognitively impaired to the extent that it limits ability to consent

currently in a relationship or home where violence is occurring

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Trans STAIR

    Behavioral

    Skills Training in Affect and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) is a transdiagnostic evidenced-based mental health treatment for individuals who have experienced multiple traumas. STAIR is based in cognitive-behavioral principles and delivered in a flexible manner over 8 group sessions, with demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of PTSD and other mental health symptoms. This trial will adapt and pilot test the STAIR intervention to be culturally appropriate and acceptable for TGD persons, adding content related to TGD health and wellness, coping with minority stress, responding to stigma and microaggressions, social support, and community connectedness, self-compassion, celebrating trans joy, trans advocacy, sexual health and PrEP use.

  • PrEP Well

    Behavioral

    This pilot trial will leverage "PrEP Well," a multi-level implementation strategy for providing PrEP in TGD-serving contexts by integrating peer-led PrEP navigation with programming that addresses other social and structural needs of the TGD community (e.g., housing, legal, employment, gender-affirmation, primary care)

Treatment groups

90 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: PrEP Well + Trans STAIRExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: PrEP WellActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

PrEP Uptake

PrEP uptake measured via SureQuick test, a rapid point-of-care diagnostic assay used to detect the presence of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) in urine.

Time frame
Collected at 30-day and at 90-day visits.
2

PrEP Adherence

PrEP Adherence will be assessed via Dried Blood Spot (DBS) test, a laboratory method used for the quantitative assessment of long-term levels of Tenofovir Diphosphate (TFV-DP) in the blood, helping to monitor and confirm adherence PrEP medications such as Descovy® or Truvada®. DBS levels consistent with 4 or more average doses/week were considered adherent.

Time frame
Collected at 90-day follow up visit

Secondary outcomes

1

Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9)

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a self-administered screening tool designed to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in individuals. It consists of nine questions that align with the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, asking respondents about their feelings and behaviors over the previous two weeks. Each question is scored on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), resulting in a total score that can range from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depression, making the PHQ-9 a valuable measure for both clinical assessments and research studies aimed at evaluating treatment outcomes and mental health interventions.

Time frame
Baseline, 30-day, and 90-day visits
2

Anxiety symptoms (GAD-7)

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) is a widely recognized self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety-related conditions. Comprising seven questions, the GAD-7 prompts respondents to evaluate how often they have experienced specific anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks, using a scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety symptoms. This measure is frequently employed in both clinical and research settings to help identify individuals experiencing significant anxiety and to monitor changes in symptoms over time, facilitating effective treatment and intervention strategies.

Time frame
Baseline, 30-day, and 90-day visits
3

PTSD symptoms (PC-PTSD-5)

The PC-PTSD-5 (Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen for DSM-5) is a brief, validated screening tool designed to identify individuals at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the diagnostic criteria specified in the DSM-5. It consists of five questions that focus on the presence of key PTSD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal, experienced in the context of a traumatic event. Respondents answer each question with one of two options: "Yes" or "No," allowing for a quick assessment of PTSD risk. The PC-PTSD-5 is particularly useful in primary care and other clinical settings for early detection and referral for further evaluation and treatment of PTSD while being user-friendly for both patients and healthcare providers.

Time frame
Baseline, 30-day, and 90-day visits
4

DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure--Adult

The DSM-5 Cross-Cutting Symptoms Measurement is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to evaluate a range of mental health symptoms that may be present across various psychiatric disorders. This assessment includes 23 symptom domains, such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and somatic symptoms, allowing clinicians to identify and assess the severity of symptoms that might not fit neatly into specific diagnostic categories. Each item on the measure is rated on a 5-point scale (0=none or not at all; 1=slight or rare, less than a day or two; 2=mild or several days; 3=moderate or more than half the days; and 4=severe or nearBy capturing cross-cutting symptoms, this tool promotes a more holistic understanding of an individual's mental health and can facilitate better treatment planning and intervention strategies. It is particularly useful in clinical settings where comorbidity is common, as it aids in identifying overlapping symptoms that may impact overall functioning and well-being.

Time frame
Baseline, 30-day, and 90-day visits

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

San Diego State University

Lead sponsor

Los Angeles LGBT Center

Collaborator

RAND

Collaborator

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator