Initiative for Chinese Sex Workers to Promote Wellbeing and Improve HIV Prevention by Reducing intersEctional Stigma

Launched by NYU LANGONE HEALTH · Jul 29, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping Chinese immigrant women who work as sex workers in massage parlors in Queens, New York. The goal is to improve their overall wellbeing and reduce stigma—meaning the negative attitudes or discrimination they face—that can make it harder for them to prevent HIV, a virus that affects the immune system. The study will test a new program designed with the community’s input to see if it can better support these women and encourage healthy behaviors like regular HIV testing.

Women who identify as Chinese and work in massage parlors providing sexual services, are at least 18 years old, and have not had an HIV test in the last three months may be eligible to join. Those who already know they have HIV won’t be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the new program or continue with usual care. The study will also include interviews and group discussions with some participants, peer advocates (women who have experience as sex workers), and staff from local organizations to learn how well the program works and how it can be improved. This study is not yet open for enrollment but aims to create a supportive community-driven approach to help reduce stigma and improve health outcomes for these women.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Female Sex Workers: A person who identifies as a woman, Chinese, a massage parlor (MP) worker in Queens, who is at least 18 years old, and has provided sexual services in the past 12 months, will be eligible.
• • Community advisory board (CAB) members: self identifies as a community member providing services to immigrant Chinese women and is at least 18 years old.
• • Peer Advocates: self identifies as current or previous sex worker, is a Chinese adult woman, and speaks both Mandarin and English.
• • Medical Providers: self identifies as a current medical provider who works with Chinese immigrant adults and speaks English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Female Sex Workers: Because completion of HIV testing is our primary study outcome, women who received an HIV test in the previous 3 months or who know they are HIV-positive will be excluded from the study.
• • Community advisory board (CAB) members: Does not speak English or is under the age of 18.
• • Peer Advocates: Does not speak English/Mandarin or is under the age of 18.
• • Medical Providers: Does not speak English or does not provide care to Chinese immigrant adults (e.g., pediatricians).