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Muwanguzi PA, Nabunya R, Ngabirano TD. Navigating HIV research among criminalized gender minority populations in Uganda: qualitative insights and lessons learned from novice researchers. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:201. [PMID: 39375702 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02294-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender individuals often face stigma, discrimination, and various forms of abuse, which negatively impact their mental and physical health. They face a significantly greater risk of HIV, with a higher prevalence than the general population. Despite these challenges, transgender people have limited access to healthcare due to violence, legal barriers, and societal stigma, further exacerbated in countries like Uganda, where transgender identities are criminalized. Therefore, this study explored the lived experiences of HIV researchers working with gender minority populations in criminalizing contexts. METHODS This was an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) qualitative study. Twelve (12) research team members at all levels were involved in the study. Participants had less than five years of involvement in HIV research among gender minority populations. Data were collected using field notes, reflective journals, documentation from daily team debriefing sessions, and semi-structured interviews. The analysis used NVivo software. RESULTS Positive experiences, barriers, and challenges were captured. The positive experiences were 'respecting cultural diversity', 'expanding networks', 'addressing misconceptions' and 'finding allies'. The barriers included 'experiencing stigma', 'lengthy research processes', 'feeling isolated', 'fearing for personal safety', 'unexpected logistical costs', and 'criminalization of sexual and gender minorities'. The key themes that emerged from the lessons learned were: 'dealing with gatekeepers', 'diversity and sensitivity training', 'leveraging networks', 'meaningful community engagement', 'reflexivity', 'ensuring safety', 'equal partnership', 'giving feedback' and 'awareness of legal implications'. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and reflexivity in research design and implementation. The findings emphasize the need for innovative strategies to navigate legal, social, and logistical barriers that researchers and participants face. Despite these challenges, the study demonstrates that meaningful collaboration with community members and building trust can significantly enhance the research process and outcomes. Future research should continue to explore these strategies while addressing ethical and safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience A Muwanguzi
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Racheal Nabunya
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tom D Ngabirano
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Kovtun O, Tilek kyzy E, Masiumova N. Being yourself is a defect: analysis of documented rights violations related to sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV in 2022 using the REAct system in six eastern European, Caucasus and Central Asian countries. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27 Suppl 3:e26311. [PMID: 39030870 PMCID: PMC11258482 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Removing legal barriers to HIV services is crucial for the global 2030 goal of ending the HIV and AIDS epidemic, particularly in eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia. Despite state commitments to uphold human rights, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), along with transgender people (TP) still face stigma and discrimination. This article presents an analysis of rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and HIV reported in 2022 across six countries, highlighting features and their links to legislation and law enforcement practices. METHODS We examined documented cases of rights violations among gbMSM and TP in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine in 2022 using the REAct system, a tool for documenting and responding to rights violations against key populations. Initially, we employed directed content analysis based on Yogyakarta Principles to analyse narratives of violations. A codebook was developed through contextual, manifest and latent coding, with themes, categories and codes converted into quantitative variables for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the characteristics of violations. RESULTS A total of 456 cases of rights violations related to SOGI and HIV were documented, ranging from 22 cases in Tajikistan to 217 in Ukraine. Most violations concerned gbMSM (76.5%), with one-fifth involving TP, predominantly transgender women. Complex violations with multiple perpetrators or infringements were documented in Armenia and central Asia. Privacy rights were commonly violated, often through outing. Cases of violations of the right to the highest attainable standard of health (13.6%) and protection from medical abuses (2.6%) were also documented. Other rights violations were sporadic, with each country exhibiting distinct patterns of violated rights and types of violations. In Ukraine, the full-scale war in 2022 influenced the nature of documented cases, reflecting the challenges faced by gbMSM and TP. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring rights violations proved effective for assessing the situation of gbMSM and TP, particularly in the insufficiently studied and diverse eastern Europe, Caucasus and central Asia regions. As rights violations are linked to both legislation and law enforcement practices, comprehensive interventions to minimize structural and interpersonal stigma are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elvira Tilek kyzy
- Eurasian Coalition on HealthRights, Gender and Sexual DiversityTallinnEstonia
| | - Nadira Masiumova
- Eurasian Coalition on HealthRights, Gender and Sexual DiversityTallinnEstonia
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Duncan DT, Park SH, Dharma C, Torrats-Espinosa G, Contreras J, Scheinmann R, Watson K, Herrera C, Schneider JA, Khan M, Lim S, Trinh-Shevrin C, Radix A. Neighborhood Safety and Neighborhood Police Violence Are Associated with Psychological Distress among English- and Spanish-Speaking Transgender Women of Color in New York City: Finding from the TURNNT Cohort Study. J Urban Health 2024; 101:557-570. [PMID: 38831154 PMCID: PMC11189871 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00879-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Transgender women of color (TWOC) experience high rates of police violence and victimization compared to other sexual and gender minority groups, as well as compared to other White transgender and cisgender women. While past studies have demonstrated how frequent police harassment is associated with higher psychological distress, the effect of neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence on TWOC's mental health is rarely studied. In this study, we examine the association between neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence with psychological distress among TWOC. Baseline self-reported data are from the TURNNT ("Trying to Understand Relationships, Networks and Neighborhoods among Transgender Woman of Color") Cohort Study (analytic n = 303). Recruitment for the study began September 2020 and ended November 2022. Eligibility criteria included being a TWOC, age 18-55, English- or Spanish-speaking, and planning to reside in the New York City metropolitan area for at least 1 year. In multivariable analyses, neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence were associated with psychological distress. For example, individuals who reported medium levels of neighborhood police violence had 1.15 [1.03, 1.28] times the odds of experiencing psychological distress compared to those who experienced low levels of neighborhood police violence. Our data suggest that neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence were associated with increased psychological distress among TWOC. Policies and programs to address neighborhood police violence (such as body cameras and legal consequences for abusive officers) may improve mental health among TWOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin T Duncan
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168Th Street, Room 715, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Su Hyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168Th Street, Room 715, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Christoffer Dharma
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168Th Street, Room 715, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Toronto School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Jessica Contreras
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168Th Street, Room 715, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Roberta Scheinmann
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168Th Street, Room 715, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | | | | | - John A Schneider
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Crown School of Social Work, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maria Khan
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sahnah Lim
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chau Trinh-Shevrin
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asa Radix
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168Th Street, Room 715, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, New York, NY, USA
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Watson DL, Listerud L, Drab RA, Lin WY, Momplaisir FM, Bauermeister JA. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programme preferences among sexually active HIV-negative transgender and gender diverse adults in the United States: a conjoint analysis. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26211. [PMID: 38332521 PMCID: PMC10853582 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current implementation efforts have failed to achieve equitable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) provision for transgender and gender-diverse (trans) populations. We conducted a choice-based conjoint analysis to measure preferences for key attributes of hypothetical PrEP delivery programmes among a diverse online sample predominantly comprised of transmasculine and nonbinary individuals in the United States. METHODS Between April 2022 and June 2022, a national online survey with an embedded conjoint analysis experiment was conducted among 304 trans individuals aged ≥18 years in the United States to assess five PrEP programme attributes: out-of-pocket cost; dispensing venue; frequency of visits for PrEP-related care; travel time to PrEP provider; and ability to bundle PrEP-related care with gender-affirming hormone therapy services. Participants responded to five questions, each of which presented two PrEP programme scenarios and one opt-out option per question and selected their preferred programme in each question. We used hierarchical Bayes estimation and multinomial logistic regression to measure part-worth utility scores for the total sample and by respondents' PrEP status. RESULTS The median age was 24 years (range 18-56); 75% were assigned female sex at birth; 54% identified as transmasculine; 32% as nonbinary; 14% as transfeminine. Out-of-pocket cost had the highest attribute importance score (44.3%), followed by the ability to bundle with gender-affirming hormone therapy services (18.7%). Minimal cost-sharing ($0 out-of-pocket cost) most positively influenced the attribute importance of cost (average conjoint part-worth utility coefficient of 2.5 [95% CI 2.4-2.6]). PrEP-experienced respondents preferred PrEP delivery in primary care settings (relative utility score 4.7); however, PrEP-naïve respondents preferred pharmacies (relative utility score 5.1). CONCLUSIONS Participants preferred programmes that offered PrEP services without cost-sharing and bundled with gender-affirming hormone therapy services. Bolstering federal regulations to cover PrEP services and prioritizing programmes to expand low-barrier PrEP provision are critical to achieving equitable PrEP provision. Community-engaged implementation research conducted by and in close collaboration with trans community stakeholders and researchers are needed to streamline the design of patient-centred PrEP programmes and develop implementation strategies that are salient to the diverse sexual health needs of trans patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovie L. Watson
- Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Louis Listerud
- Department of Family and Community HealthUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ryan A. Drab
- Department of Family and Community HealthUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Willey Y. Lin
- Department of Family and Community HealthUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Florence Marie Momplaisir
- Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - José A. Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community HealthUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Schwarz SB, Nydegger L, Hill MJ. Hard-to-Reach or Hardly Reached? The "Difficulty" of Engaging Cisgender Black Females in Sexual Health Research. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023; 10:2615-2619. [PMID: 37831365 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01825-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Rather than placing the onus on stigmatized and disenfranchised communities as hard-to-reach in sexual health research, we challenge researchers to recognize and provide outreach to populations who are hardly reached, such as cisgender Black women. We posit that the disparate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates experienced by Black women in the USA are due in part to social and structural inequities and lack of researcher outreach within these communities. Social inequities give rise to racial and gender discrimination, which often results in structural barriers that researchers may not acknowledge. Structural barriers include medical mistrust and lack of access to preventative sexual health services, health care, education, and other resources. To achieve health equity, researchers must engage with Black women to understand the unique struggles they face and intervene with non-stigmatizing, culturally appropriate interventions. Interventions must utilize gatekeepers, influencers, community organizations, community advisory boards, and peer support. It is critical that sexual health researchers reach out to those who do not fall under the traditional hard-to-reach category but are hardly reached to counteract the current projection that 1 in 32 Black women will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Schwarz
- Department of Kinesiology & Health Education, College of Education, University of Texas at Austin, 1717 W 6th St Ste 335, Austin, TX, 78703, USA.
| | - Liesl Nydegger
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Hampton House, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Mandy J Hill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Texas Emergency Medicine Research Center, Population Health in Emergency Medicine Section, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), 6431 Fannin JJL 475G, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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McCormick CD, Sullivan PS, Qato DM, Crawford SY, Schumock GT, Lee TA. Trends of nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis in the United States. AIDS 2023; 37:2223-2232. [PMID: 37650765 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe national annual rates of nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) in the United States. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of commercially insured individuals in the Merative MarketScan Database from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. METHODS Patients at least 13 years old prescribed nPEP per recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines were identified using pharmacy claims. Rates of use were described overall and stratified by sex, age group, and region. These rates were qualitatively compared to the diagnosis rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) observed in the data. Joinpoint analysis identified inflection points of nPEP use. RESULTS Eleven thousand, three hundred and ninety-seven nPEP users were identified, with a mean age of 33.7 years. Most were males (64.6%) and lived in the south (33.2%) and northeast (32.4%). The rate of nPEP use increased 515%, from 1.42 nPEP users per 100 000 enrollees in 2010 to 8.71 nPEP users per 10 000 enrollees in 2019. The comparative nPEP use rates among subgroups largely mirrored their HIV diagnosis rates, that is, subgroups with a higher HIV rate had higher nPEP use. In the Joinpoint analysis significant growth was observed from 2012 to 2015 [estimated annual percentage change (EAPC): 45.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 29.4 - 64.3] followed by a more moderate increase from 2015 to 2019 (EAPC 16.0%; 95% CI: 12.6-19.6). CONCLUSIONS nPEP use increased from 2010 to 2019, but not equally across all risk groups. Further policy interventions should be developed to reduce barriers and ensure adequate access to this important HIV prevention tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter D McCormick
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patrick S Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dima M Qato
- Program on Medicines and Public Health, Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy
- USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stephanie Y Crawford
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Glen T Schumock
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Todd A Lee
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois
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Neduzhko O, Saliuk T, Kovtun O, Semchuk N, Varetska O. Community-based HIV prevention services for transgender people in Ukraine: current situation and potential for improvement. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:631. [PMID: 37316821 PMCID: PMC10268490 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09656-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based HIV-prevention services are a key approach to prevent HIV transmission among key population representatives. Transgender people have multiple specific needs and it is crucial to use prevention approaches that effectively respond to those needs and facilitate barriers on the way to use HIV prevention and related services. This study is aimed to explore the current state of community-based HIV prevention services among transgender people in Ukraine, its limitations and potential for improvement based on the experience and perceptions of transgender people, physicians, and community social workers providing services to transgender people. METHODS Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted among physicians providing services to transgender people (N = 10), community social workers (N = 6), and transgender people (N = 30). The objectives of the interviews were to explore: the relevance of the community-based HIV prevention services to the needs of transgender people; the key components of the most preferred ("ideal") HIV-prevention package for transgender people; ways to optimize the existing HIV prevention package for transgender people including enrollment and retention. Systematically collected data were analyzed and coded into the main domains, thematic categories and subcategories using thematic analysis. RESULTS The current HIV prevention programs were well-evaluated by the majority of respondents. Gender-affirming care was found to be the key need of transgender people. Integration of HIV prevention services and gender-affirming care was perceived as the main way to address the needs of transgender people. Internet-based and peer word-of-mouth recruitment may improve enrollment in services. Optimization of existing HIV prevention package may include: psychological counseling, referral and navigation to medical services, legal services, pre- and post-exposure prevention, dissemination of tube lubricants, femidoms and latex wipes, use of oral fluid test systems for HIV self-testing. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest potential solutions to improve community-based HIV prevention services for transgender people by introducing a transgender people -oriented package, which integrates gender transition, HIV prevention and other services. Provision of prevention services based on assessed risk and referral/navigation to related services are the key options for optimization of the existing HIV prevention package. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Neduzhko
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, 5 Biloruska Str. Office 20, 27, Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine.
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Gray SS, Sizemore KM, Rendina HJ. Coping Strategies as a Moderator for the Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Transgender Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5927. [PMID: 37297531 PMCID: PMC10253188 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with negative mental health outcomes. There is currently limited research on the impact of IPV on the outcomes of mental health for transgender women. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence, coping skills, depression, and anxiety in a sample of transgender women. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted examining the relationship of IPV and depression and anxiety symptoms, where coping skills moderate this relationship. The results suggest that those with experiences of IPV are more likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety. For individuals with no experiences of IPV and low depression, high levels of emotional processing coping and acceptance coping buffered this relationship. For individuals with more experiences of IPV and more depressive symptoms, coping skills did not show to buffer this relationship. These same coping skills did not show evidence for buffering anxiety symptoms for transgender women with low or high levels of IPV. The results, implications, and limitations of this study and suggestions for further research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon S. Gray
- Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA;
| | - Kayla Marie Sizemore
- Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 112 Paterson St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, 125 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - H. Jonathon Rendina
- Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
- Whitman-Walker Institute, 1377 R St., NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009, USA
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Lagi F, Gatteschi C, Tilli M, Zocco N, Avarello A, Bellini S, Contanessi S, Zigliani MR, Stagnitta M, Mariano L, Gazzarri E, Belloni L, Fisher AD, Bartoloni A, Sterrantino G, Ierardi F. Facilitators and barriers in HIV testing and continuum of care among migrant transgender women who are sex workers residing in Florence, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSGENDER HEALTH 2023; 25:268-282. [PMID: 38681492 PMCID: PMC11044723 DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2023.2209072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background An increased risk of contracting HIV infection, suboptimal adherence, and a loss to follow-up have been observed in migrants, particularly if those individuals are transgender or sex workers. A clear picture of the HIV epidemic among migrants is complex due to the lack of specific national data. Aims We developed a qualitative study that describes the barriers and facilitators (cultural, social, and personal) in HIV testing and the continuum of care for a group of migrant transgender women who are sex workers. Methods A semi-structured interview was conducted with a group of migrant transgender women who are sex workers living with HIV or with unknown HIV serostatus residing in the Florentine metropolitan area. Results We included 12 participants: 3 had unknown HIV serostatus and 9 were living with HIV in follow-up at the Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Careggi University hospiral, Florence, Italy. Among barriers, the perceived stigma due to their identity as migrants and transgender people, the language lack of ability and the legal position in the host country played a significant role. Moreover, the interviewees claimed having no alternative to sex work: for those individuals, changing their lifestyle condition is perceived as difficult or impossible due to social prejudices. Conversely, the interviewees considered support services, such as cultural mediators/interpreters and street units, as facilitators to HIV testing, access to care, and continuum of care. Having regular and accessible ART and the availability of a more consistent health care system, represent reasons for HIV-positive migrants living with HIV to move to Italy. Conclusions Knowledge of this population's personal experience regarding the barriers and factors that facilitate access to the HIV care system is essential for planning public health interventions capable of responding to the real needs of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Lagi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Marta Tilli
- Department of experimental and clinical medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Avarello
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bellini
- Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro l’AIDS, LILA Toscana, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Belloni
- Regional Center for Critical Relationships, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Daphne Fisher
- Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of experimental and clinical medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gaetana Sterrantino
- Department of experimental and clinical medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Clark KD, Flentje A, Sevelius JM, Dawson-Rose C, Weiss SJ. Stressors in health care and their association to symptoms experienced by gender diverse people. Public Health 2023; 217:81-88. [PMID: 36867986 PMCID: PMC10354568 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many individuals whose gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth (gender diverse [GD] people) report stressful health care encounters. We examined the relationship of these stressors to symptoms of emotional distress and impaired physical functioning among GD people. STUDY DESIGN This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design with data from the 2015 United States Transgender Survey. METHODS Composite metrics of health care stressors and physical impairments were developed, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6) provided a measure of emotional distress. Linear and logistic regression were used to analyze the aims. RESULTS A total of 22,705 participants from diverse gender identity subgroups were included. Participants who experienced at least one stressor in health care during the past 12 months had more symptoms of emotional distress (β = 0.14, P < .001) and 85% greater odds of having a physical impairment (odds ratio = 1.85, P < .001). Transgender men exposed to stressors were more likely than transgender women to experience emotional distress and have a physical impairment, with other gender identity subgroups reporting less distress. Black participants exposed to stressful encounters reported more symptoms of emotional distress than White participants. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that stressful encounters in health care are associated with symptoms of emotional distress and greater odds of physical impairment for GD people, with transgender men and Black individuals being at greatest risk of emotional distress. The findings indicate the need for assessment of factors that contribute to discriminatory or biased health care for GD people, education of health care workers, and support for GD people to reduce their risk of stressor-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen D Clark
- Department of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA.
| | - Annesa Flentje
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Alliance Health Project, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jae M Sevelius
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carol Dawson-Rose
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sandra J Weiss
- Department of Community Health Systems, UCSF Depression Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Alpert AB, Brewer JR, Adams S, Rivers L, Orta S, Blosnich JR, Miedlich S, Kamen C, Dizon DS, Pazdur R, Beaver JA, Fashoyin-Aje L. Addressing Barriers to Clinical Trial Participation for Transgender People With Cancer to Improve Access and Generate Data. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:1825-1829. [PMID: 36302204 PMCID: PMC10082226 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.01174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ash B. Alpert
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Jamie Renee Brewer
- Office of Oncologic Diseases, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
| | | | | | | | - John R. Blosnich
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Susanne Miedlich
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Charles Kamen
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Control Unit, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Don S. Dizon
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lifespan Cancer Institute and Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Richard Pazdur
- Oncology Center of Excellence, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Julia A. Beaver
- Oncology Center of Excellence, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Lola Fashoyin-Aje
- Office of Oncologic Diseases, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
- Oncology Center of Excellence, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
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12
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Living in Stealth: A Grounded Theory Study of Transgender Women's Barriers to HIV-Prevention Services and Interventions. Res Theory Nurs Pract 2023; 37:17-39. [PMID: 36792318 DOI: 10.1891/rtnp-2022-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Purpose: HIV infection is a health disparity among transgender women. Despite availability of HIV-prevention interventions and services, many transgender women do not access these interventions and services. The purpose of this study was to identify the process by which barriers may prevent transgender women from receiving HIV-prevention interventions and services and to have participants propose ideas on how to overcome these barriers. Methods: Utilizing a grounded theory approach, 25 in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with transgender women aged 20-69 years. After providing written informed consent, participants completed an in-depth individual interview. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Categories and subcategories were identified from the data using open, axial, and selective coding. Results: A theory grounded in the data named Living in Stealth emerged that described this central phenomenon that underpinned the other main categories of Encountering Social Barriers and Encountering Structural Barriers. Generating Ideas for Restructuring HIV-Prevention for Transgender Women was the final category in which participants provided ideas to overcome HIV-prevention barriers. Implications: Clinicians and researchers providing HIV-prevention services and interventions for transgender women need awareness of the complex nature of HIV prevention for this subpopulation of women. More research is needed to incorporate findings from this study into HIV-prevention interventions for transgender women.
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13
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Goldhammer H, Marc LG, Psihopaidas D, Chavis NS, Massaquoi M, Cahill S, Rebchook G, Reisner S, Mayer KA, Cohen SM, Keuroghlian AS. HIV Care Continuum Interventions for Transgender Women: A Topical Review. Public Health Rep 2023; 138:19-30. [PMID: 35060802 PMCID: PMC9730173 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211065517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgender women experience a disproportionate prevalence of HIV and barriers to linkage to care, retention in care, medication adherence, and viral suppression. As part of a national cooperative agreement funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration's HIV/AIDS Bureau, we searched the literature from January 1, 2010, through June 1, 2020, for English-language articles on interventions designed to improve at least 1 HIV care continuum outcome or address 1 barrier to achieving HIV care continuum outcomes among transgender women diagnosed with HIV in the United States. To be included, articles needed to identify transgender women as a priority population for the intervention. We found 22 interventions, of which 15 reported quantitative or qualitative outcomes and 7 reported study protocols. Recent interventions have incorporated a range of strategies that show promise for addressing pervasive structural and individual barriers rooted in societal and cultural stigma and discrimination against transgender people. Cross-cutting themes found among the interventions included meaningful community participation in the design and implementation of the interventions; culturally affirming programs that serve as a gateway to HIV care and combine gender-affirming care and social services with HIV care; interventions to improve behavioral health outcomes; peer-led counseling, education, and navigation; and technology-based interventions to increase access to care management and online social support. Ongoing studies will further elucidate the efficacy and effectiveness of these interventions, with the goal of reducing disparities in the HIV care continuum and bringing us closer to ending the HIV epidemic among transgender women in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda G. Marc
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Nicole S. Chavis
- HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Sean Cahill
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Greg Rebchook
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sari Reisner
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stacy M. Cohen
- HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Alex S. Keuroghlian
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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14
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Radix AE, Bond K, Carneiro PB, Restar A. Transgender Individuals and Digital Health. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2022; 19:592-599. [PMID: 36136217 PMCID: PMC9493149 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-022-00629-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review is to assess the use of digital technologies to promote the health and well-being of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. RECENT FINDINGS TGD individuals experience numerous health disparities, including low uptake of HIV prevention strategies, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, increased HIV incidence, and suboptimal HIV-related outcomes. These health disparities are the result of widespread intersectional stigma on the basis of gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic class, race, and ethnicity, which negatively impact access to general medical and transgender-specific health care. TGD individuals often delay or avoid essential medical services due to fear of discrimination. Clinicians frequently lack training, competence, and skills in transgender medicine, further exacerbating the health disparities faced by TGD people. Digital technologies have been used to improve research and clinical care for TGD populations through various modalities; telemedicine, telehealth and mHealth. Digital health technologies, including HIT-enabled clinical decision support, telehealth, telemedicine, and mHealth, offer innovative ways to improve health care access, improve quality of care, and reduce health disparities for TGD populations, including and beyond HIV outcomes, through enhanced care delivery, clinician education, and enhancing social support networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asa E Radix
- Department of Medicine, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, New York, NY, USA.
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Keosha Bond
- Community Health & Social Medicine, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pedro B Carneiro
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arjee Restar
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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15
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Rebchook GM, Chakravarty D, Xavier JM, Keatley JG, Maiorana A, Sevelius J, Shade SB. An evaluation of nine culturally tailored interventions designed to enhance engagement in HIV care among transgender women of colour in the United States. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25 Suppl 5:e25991. [PMID: 36225153 PMCID: PMC9557010 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transgender women (TW) worldwide have a high prevalence of HIV, and TW with HIV encounter numerous healthcare barriers. It is critical to develop evidence-informed interventions to improve their engagement in healthcare to achieve durable viral suppression (VS). We evaluated whether participation in one of nine interventions designed specifically for TW was associated with improved engagement in HIV care among transgender women of colour (TWC). METHODS Between 2013 and 2017, nine US organizations implemented nine distinct and innovative HIV care engagement interventions with diverse strategies, including: individual and group sessions, case management and navigation, outreach, drop-in spaces, peer support and/or incentives to engage TWC with HIV in care. The organizations enrolled 858 TWC, conducted surveys, captured intervention exposure data and extracted medical record data. Our evaluation of the interventions employed a pre-post design and examined four outcomes-any HIV care visit, antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription, retention in HIV care and VS (both overall and among those with a clinic visit and viral load test), at baseline and every 6 months for 24 months. We employed logistic generalized estimating equations to assess the relative odds of each outcome at 12 and 24 months compared to baseline. RESULTS Overall, 79% of participants were exposed to at least one intervention activity. Over 24 months of follow-up, participants received services for a median of over 6 hours (range: 3-69 hours/participant). Compared to baseline, significantly (p<0.05) greater odds were demonstrated at both 12 and 24 months for three outcomes: prescription of ART (ORs: 1.42 at 12 months, 1.49 at 24 months), VS among all participants (ORs: 1.49, 1.54) and VS among those with a clinic visit and viral load test (ORs: 1.53, 1.98). The outcomes of any HIV care visit and retention in HIV care had significantly greater odds (ORs: 1.38 and 1.58, respectively) only at 12 months compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS These evaluation results illustrate promising approaches to improve engagement in HIV care and VS among TWC with HIV. Continued development, adaptation and scale-up of culturally tailored HIV care interventions for this key population are necessary to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Rebchook
- Division of Prevention ScienceDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Deepalika Chakravarty
- Division of Prevention ScienceDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - JoAnne G. Keatley
- Division of Prevention ScienceDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA,Innovative Response Globally for Transgender Women and HIV (IRGT)San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andres Maiorana
- Division of Prevention ScienceDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jae Sevelius
- Division of Prevention ScienceDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Starley B. Shade
- Division of Prevention ScienceDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA,Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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16
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Lynne A, Enteen JB. Thai trans women's agency and the destigmatisation of HIV-related care. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2022; 24:1153-1167. [PMID: 34254887 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2021.1933183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Until recently, trans women have been subsumed within the category of men who have sex with men for HIV-related care. Following a 2016 UNAIDS report finding that trans women globally are 49 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population, health programmes have sought to expand their reach to this key population. Yet, trans women are often treated as passive subjects to be recruited into programming or clinical trials for HIV-related care. This paper uses case studies of two community-based clinics in Thailand to highlight the agency of trans women in creating and implementing unique models for the provision of care that fit their needs and those of their local communities. By tailoring goals to be trans-specific and local, trans women at these clinics help destigmatise HIV-related care. This paper argues for the importance of engaging trans women as community stakeholders in HIV-related care and prevention and identifies suggestions for stakeholder engagement in programme design both in and beyond Thailand by focussing on local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Lynne
- Sociology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jillana B Enteen
- Gender and Sexuality Studies, Asian American Studies and Asian Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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17
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Sevelius JM, Dilworth SE, Reback CJ, Chakravarty D, Castro D, Johnson MO, McCree B, Jackson A, Mata RP, Neilands TB. Randomized Controlled Trial of Healthy Divas: A Gender-Affirming, Peer-Delivered Intervention to Improve HIV Care Engagement Among Transgender Women Living With HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 90:508-516. [PMID: 35502891 PMCID: PMC9259040 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV and are less likely to be optimally engaged in care than other groups because of psychosocial challenges. With community collaboration, we developed Healthy Divas, an individual-level intervention to increase healthcare empowerment and gender affirmation to improve engagement in HIV care. Healthy Divas comprises 6 peer-led individual sessions and one group workshop facilitated by a healthcare provider with expertise in HIV care and transgender health. SETTING/METHODS To test the intervention's efficacy, we conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial in San Francisco and Los Angeles among transgender women living with HIV; control was no intervention. Transgender field staff conducted recruitment. Assessments occurred at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postrandomization. The primary outcome was engagement in HIV care, defined as the sum of (1) self-reported HIV care provider visit, past 6 months, (2) knowledge of most recent CD4 count, (3) self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence ≥90%, and (4) self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence ≥80%. RESULTS We enrolled 278 participants; almost half (46%) were African American/Black and one-third (33%) were Hispanic/Latina. At 6 months, participants in the intervention arm had over twice the odds of being in a higher HIV care engagement category than those in the control arm (aOR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.06 to 4.45; P = 0.04); there were no significant study arm differences in the outcome at the other time points. CONCLUSIONS This trial demonstrates the short-term efficacy of an urgently needed behavioral intervention to improve engagement in HIV care among transgender women living with HIV; ongoing intervention may be needed to maintain positive impact over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03081559.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae M. Sevelius
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Samantha E. Dilworth
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Cathy J. Reback
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Deepalika Chakravarty
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Danielle Castro
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Mallory O. Johnson
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Breonna McCree
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Akira Jackson
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Raymond P. Mata
- Friends Community Center, Friends Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA; and
| | - Torsten B. Neilands
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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18
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Lippman SA, Sevelius JM, Saggese GSR, Gilmore H, Bassichetto KC, de Barros DD, de Oliveira RB, Maschião LF, Chen D, de Sousa Mascena Veras MA. Peer Navigation to Support Transgender Women's Engagement in HIV Care: Findings from the Trans Amigas Pilot Trial in São Paulo, Brazil. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2588-2599. [PMID: 35119537 PMCID: PMC9252974 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03595-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trans women living with HIV (TWH) have suboptimal HIV care engagement. We pilot tested Trans Amigas, a theory-based, trans-specific peer navigation (PN) intervention to address barriers to care in São Paulo, Brazil. TWH were randomized to the PN intervention (n = 75) or control (n = 38) condition. Control participants were referred to trans-friendly HIV care. Intervention participants were assigned a navigator who conducted nine in-person one-on-one sessions and bi-weekly phone or text check-ins to help participants overcome barriers to care and work towards gender affirmation and healthcare goals. We followed participants for 9 months to determine intervention feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in improving retention in care. Analyses were intention to treat (ITT). Intervention acceptability was high: at end line, 85.2% of PN participants said they would continue receiving services and 94.4% would recommend peer navigation to a friend. A priori feasibility criteria were met: 92% of eligible participants enrolled and 70% were retained at 9 months; however, only 47% achieved moderate or better adherence to both in-person and phone/text program components. Though the pilot was not powered for efficacy, ITT findings trended toward significance, with intervention participants 40% more likely to be retained in care at the end of the study. Population-specific peer programming to support care engagement is acceptable, feasible, and can improve HIV outcomes for Trans women living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheri A Lippman
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Jae M Sevelius
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gustavo Santa Roza Saggese
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hailey Gilmore
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Dorothy Chen
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, USA
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19
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Wang Y, Mitchell J, Zhang C, Brown L, Przybyla S, Liu Y. Suboptimal Follow-Up on HIV Test Results among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Community-Based Study in Two U.S. Cities. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7070139. [PMID: 35878150 PMCID: PMC9322097 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7070139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Frequent HIV testing and knowledge of HIV serostatus is the premise before timely access to HIV prevention and treatment services, but a portion of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) do not always follow up on their HIV test results after HIV testing, which is detrimental to the implementation of HIV prevention and care among this subgroup. The comprehensive evaluation of factors associated with inconsistent follow-up on HIV test results may inform relevant interventions to address this critical issue among YMSM. To this end, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Nashville, Tennessee and Buffalo, New York from May 2019 to May 2020 to assess demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates of inconsistent follow-up on HIV test results among YMSM. Of the 347 participants, 27.1% (n = 94) reported inconsistent follow-up on their HIV test results. Multivariable logistic regression showed that inconsistent follow-up on HIV test results was positively associated with condomless receptive anal sex, group sex, recreational drug use before or during sex, internalized homophobia, and stress; while negatively associated with housing stability, social support, and general resilience. Future HIV prevention intervention efforts should target these modifiable determinants to enhance the follow-up on HIV test results among YMSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Jason Mitchell
- Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Lauren Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sarahmona Przybyla
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA;
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
- Correspondence:
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20
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Everhart AR, Ferguson L, Wilson JP. Construction and validation of a spatial database of providers of transgender hormone therapy in the US. Soc Sci Med 2022; 303:115014. [PMID: 35594740 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
What little data on transgender healthcare is available often focuses on transgender people's negative experiences in accessing healthcare. However, no research has been conducted that illustrates where gender-affirming hormone therapy, one part of transgender-specific medical care, is available. Without these data, large scale research to discern patterns of availability of and access to gender-affirming medical care is nearly impossible. Community-based organizations, and even trans individuals themselves have constructed repositories and databases of healthcare providers to inform other care seekers where they can access transition-related care providers, but their data are often incomplete, and usually formatted to be user-facing rather than streamlined for research purposes. To fill this gap, this article outlines the methodology for the construction of a spatial database of providers of gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender people in the US, which is available on GitHub, created from existing community-based resources and the accompanying verification process. The completeness of the database is tested via comparison to data from the US Transgender Survey in which respondents reported travel distance to access transgender-specific care providers. The database accounted for all but 7.5% of respondents who may have accessed unknown facilities based on self-reported travel distance. Results indicate that existing methodologies for database construction regarding healthcare providers are difficult to apply when working with transgender-specific medical care and that tests for replicability and validation often take for granted the wide availability of relevant data and information. While the database unto itself can only demonstrate where care is available, it will enable future research into why these geographic patterns in care availability exist. Finally, the methodology can be replicated to produce databases for other kinds of specialized or politicized medical care such as abortion, gender-affirming surgery, or HIV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery R Everhart
- University of Southern California, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Spatial Sciences Institute, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF B55, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Laura Ferguson
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, 2001 N Soto St, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA.
| | - John P Wilson
- University of Southern California, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Spatial Sciences Institute, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF B55, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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21
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Shorrock F, Alvarenga A, Hailey-Fair K, Vickroy W, Cos T, Kwait J, Trexler C, Wirtz AL, Galai N, Beyrer C, Celentano D, Arrington-Sanders R. Dismantling Barriers and Transforming the Future of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake in Young Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:194-203. [PMID: 35507322 PMCID: PMC9125574 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2021.0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to transform HIV in young Black and Latinx sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women (TW). Addressing low PrEP uptake in this population depends on the better understanding of barriers to PrEP use. This article uses an ecological framework to explore barriers to daily oral PrEP in a sample of young Black and Latinx SMM and TW in three geographically prioritized cities in the United States. In-depth interviews were completed with 33 young Black and Latinx SMM and TW (22 at risk for and 11 recently diagnosed with HIV), aged 17-24, participating in a randomized trial aimed at increasing PrEP and antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and adherence. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and then analyzed using inductive and deductive coding. Coded transcripts were organized into individual, interpersonal, community, and structural categories, by PrEP use and HIV status. Among participants, nine reported having been prescribed PrEP, with five actively or recently taking PrEP, whereas only one participant diagnosed with HIV had been prescribed PrEP. Major themes related to barriers emerged across the individual, family, community, and structural level. Limited barriers related to partners, instead partners with HIV encouraged PrEP use. Participants commonly reported low perceived HIV risk, fear of disclosure, barriers relating to insurance/cost, and medication use as reasons for nonuse of PrEP. For youth to remain on a healthy life course, HIV preventative measures will need to be adopted early in adolescence for those at risk of HIV acquisition. Interventions need to simultaneously address multilevel barriers that contribute to nonuse in adolescents. Clinical trials registry site and number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03194477.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Shorrock
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aubrey Alvarenga
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberly Hailey-Fair
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wil Vickroy
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Travis Cos
- Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennafer Kwait
- Whitman Walker Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Andrea L Wirtz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Noya Galai
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Celentano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Renata Arrington-Sanders
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Eustaquio PC, Castelo AV, Araña YS, Corciega JOL, Rosadiño JDT, Pagtakhan RG, Regencia ZJG, Baja ES. Prevalence and Factors Associated With Gender-Affirming Surgery Among Transgender Women & Transgender Men in a Community-Based Clinic in Metro Manila, Philippines: A Retrospective Study. Sex Med 2022; 10:100497. [PMID: 35247792 PMCID: PMC9023245 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2022.100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background More information is needed about gender-affirming surgery (GAS) in the Philippines because of many self- or peer-prescribed gender-affirming procedures among transgender people. Aim To assess the desire of transgender adults for GAS, determined the prevalence, and evaluated factors associated with the desire. Methods We did a retrospective study of medical charts of 339 transgender men (TGM) and 186 transgender women (TGW) who attended clinical services at Victoria by LoveYourself, a transgender-led community-based clinic in Metro Manila, from March 2017 to December 2019. The medical charts were reviewed to ascertain data on gender dysphoria (GD), clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviors, and gender-affirmation-related practices, including the use of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). We also estimated the prevalence and explored factors associated with the desire for GAS using generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution, log link function, and a robust variance. Main Outcome Measures Our primary outcome was the self-reported desire for GAS. Results Almost half were already on GAHT, of whom 93% were self-medicating. Our study's prevalence of GD is 95% and nearly 3 in 4 desire GAS. The prevalence of desiring GAS was related to the specific surgical procedure chosen. Transgender adults opting for breast surgery and genital surgeries have 8.06 [adjusted prevalence ratio, (aPR): 8.06; 95% Confidence Interval, (CI): 5.22–12.45; P value < .001] and 1.19 (aPR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.11–1.28; P value < .001) times higher prevalence of GAS desire, respectively, compared with otherwise not opting for those procedures. Moreover, the prevalence of GAS desire was higher among patients with GD (aPR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01–1.18; P value = .03) than individuals without GD. Clinical Translation Providers' awareness of patients’ desires, values, and health-seeking preferences could facilitate differentiated guidance on their gender affirmation. Strengths and Limitations This quantitative study is the first to explore gender-affirming practices among transgender adults in the Philippines and provide significant insights into their healthcare needs. Our study focused only on TGM and TGW and did not reflect the other issues of transgender people outside of Metro Manila, Philippines. Furthermore, our retrospective study design may have missed essential predictors or factors not captured in the medical charts; hence, our study could never dismiss confounding factor bias due to unmeasured or residual confounding factors. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of self- and peer-led attempts from TGM and TGW to facilitate the gender transition, with the desire for GAS being significantly associated with GD and by which specific surgical procedure is chosen. Eustaquio PC, Castelo AV, Araña YS et al. Prevalence and Factors Associated With Gender-Affirming Surgery Among Transgender Women & Transgender Men in a Community-Based Clinic in Metro Manila, Philippines: A Retrospective Study. Sex Med 2022;10:100497.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - John Danvic T Rosadiño
- LoveYourself Inc., Mandaluyong City, Philippines; Faculty of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines - Open University, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | | | - Zypher Jude G Regencia
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Emmanuel S Baja
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.
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Cyrus E, Johnson SA, Perez-Gilbe HR, Wuyke G, Fajardo FJ, Garba NA, Deviéux J, Jimenez D, Garcia S, Holder CL. Engagement in Care and Housing Instability Influence HIV Screening Among Transgender Individuals in South Florida. Transgend Health 2022; 7:52-60. [PMID: 35224190 PMCID: PMC8867217 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: HIV screening is a critical step in the HIV care continuum to lowering incidence and achieving viral load suppression among at-risk populations. Few studies assess factors associated with HIV screening among transgender individuals living in the southeast region of the United States. This study was conducted to determine factors that influence HIV screening among transgender individuals in South Florida. Methods: During Fall 2016, 68 participants were recruited to complete a questionnaire as part of a pilot pre-exposure prophylaxis study. Correlations were examined between sociodemographic factors, HIV risk, and access to and engagement in care. Significant correlations were entered into one logistic regression model to estimate predictors of HIV screening and knowledge of HIV status. Results: Almost half (48.5%) of the respondents were Latinx, 38.2% Black, 10.3% non-Latinx White, and 3% other. Seventy-eight percent reported access and routine engagement in care within the past year, 25% had not screened for HIV in the past year, and of those who knew their status, 16.7% reported living with HIV. Regression analysis revealed that participants with routine engagement in care were twice as likely to screen for HIV (p=0.02). Unstable housing was associated with no HIV screening in the past year (p=0.05). Conclusion: Stable housing is linked to engagement in routine care that can increase the likelihood of an at-risk transgender individual screening for HIV. Further research is needed to develop interventions to improve engagement in care among transgender individuals who do not have adequate housing or access to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cyrus
- Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.,*Address correspondence to: Elena Cyrus, PhD, MPH, Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6850 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827, USA,
| | - Shaina A. Johnson
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Hector R. Perez-Gilbe
- Health Sciences UCI Libraries, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Gabriella Wuyke
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Francisco J. Fajardo
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Nana Aisha Garba
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jessy Deviéux
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Jimenez
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, School of Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- Integrated Biostatistics and Data Management Center, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Cheryl L. Holder
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Transgender Women's Barriers, Facilitators, and Preferences on Tailored Injection Delivery Strategies to Administer Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). AIDS Behav 2021; 25:4180-4192. [PMID: 34216284 PMCID: PMC8254438 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03357-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) is in advanced stages of clinical trials. Under the standard protocol, CAB-LA is injected into the gluteal muscle by a healthcare provider every eight weeks. To explore transgender women’s barriers and facilitators to tailored delivery strategies—including self-injection and injection in “drop-in” centers—we completed in-depth interviews with N = 15 transgender women in New York City. Participants endorsed the alternative delivery methods and the corresponding features we proposed, and expressed likes and dislikes about each. These fell into the following categories: competence (e.g., the person delivering CAB-LA must have skills to do so), convenience (e.g., CAB-LA must be easy to obtain), and privacy or fear of judgement (e.g., participants did not want to feel judged for using CAB-LA by providers or other service consumers). Findings suggest the need to offer CAB-LA to transgender women through multiple delivery protocols.
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'I'm not interested in research; i'm interested in services': How to better health and social services for transgender women living with and affected by HIV. Soc Sci Med 2021; 292:114610. [PMID: 34923191 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents results of a research priority setting process focused on trans women living with and affected by HIV across Canada. It features data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted with a diverse group of 76 trans women in five urban centers across the country on how they have navigated health and social service programming within their geographic context. The results focus on the structure and types of services. Respondents offered simple, yet creative ways to address barriers to vital services based on their individual and collective experiences. Notably, participants stressed the need for 1) trans-friendly and trans-specific services, 2) integrated health services, and aid in navigating complex, overlapping systems, and 3) comprehensive community-based services. They also suggest employing trans women as care coordinators or case managers in order to foster more trans-friendly environments and empower community members. We identify concrete ways to improve health and social services at the level of service delivery and program design, as well as recommendations for future participatory research. We close with an interrogation of trans people, and trans women living with and affected by HIV in particular, as 'hard to reach' populations.
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Lacombe-Duncan A, Logie CH, Persad Y, Leblanc G, Nation K, Kia H, Scheim AI, Lyons T, Horemans C, Olawale R, Loutfy M. Implementation and evaluation of the 'Transgender Education for Affirmative and Competent HIV and Healthcare (TEACHH)' provider education pilot. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2021; 21:561. [PMID: 34732178 PMCID: PMC8566115 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-021-02991-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender (trans) women face constrained access to gender-affirming HIV prevention and care. This is fueled in part by the convergence of limited trans knowledge and competency with anti-trans and HIV-related stigmas among social and healthcare providers. To advance gender-affirming HIV service delivery we implemented and evaluated 'Transgender Education for Affirmative and Competent HIV and Healthcare (TEACHH)'. This theoretically-informed community-developed intervention aimed to increase providers' gender-affirming HIV prevention and care knowledge and competency and reduce negative attitudes and biases among providers towards trans women living with and/or affected by HIV. METHODS Healthcare and social service providers and providers in-training (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers) working with trans women living with and/or affected by HIV (n = 78) participated in a non-randomized multi-site pilot study evaluating TEACHH with a pre-post-test design. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed participant characteristics, intervention feasibility (e.g., workshop completion rate) and acceptability (e.g., willingness to attend another training). Paired sample t-tests were conducted to assess pre-post intervention differences in perceived competency, attitudes/biases, and knowledge to provide gender-affirming HIV care to trans women living with HIV and trans persons. RESULTS The intervention was feasible (100% workshop completion) and acceptable (91.9% indicated interest in future gender-affirming HIV care trainings). Post-intervention scores indicated significant improvement in: 1) knowledge, attitudes/biases and perceived competency in gender-affirming HIV care (score mean difference (MD) 8.49 (95% CI of MD: 6.12-10.86, p < 0.001, possible score range: 16-96), and 2) knowledge, attitudes/biases and perceived competency in gender-affirming healthcare (MD = 3.21; 95% CI of MD: 1.90-4.90, p < 0.001, possible score range: 9-63). Greater change in outcome measures from pre- to post-intervention was experienced by those with fewer trans and transfeminine clients served in the past year, in indirect service roles, and having received less prior training. CONCLUSIONS This brief healthcare and social service provider intervention showed promise in improving gender-affirming provider knowledge, perceived competency, and attitudes/biases, particularly among those with less trans and HIV experience. Scale-up of TEACHH may increase access to gender-affirming health services and HIV prevention and care, increase healthcare access, and reduce HIV disparities among trans women. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04096053 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Lacombe-Duncan
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1106, USA.
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5482, USA.
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1N8, Canada.
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1N8, Canada
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, M5S 1V4, Canada
- Center for Gender & Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE), 1190 Hornby Street, Vancouver, V6Z 2K5, Canada
| | - Yasmeen Persad
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1N8, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Leblanc
- Action Santé Travesti(e)s & Transsexuel(le)s du Québec (ASTT(E)Q), 1300 Sanguinet, Montréal, H2X 3E7, Canada
| | - Kelendria Nation
- Prism Education Series, Vancouver Coastal Health, 1128 Hornby Street, Vancouver, V6Z 2L4, Canada
| | - Hannah Kia
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, 2080 West Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Ayden I Scheim
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tara Lyons
- Center for Gender & Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE), 1190 Hornby Street, Vancouver, V6Z 2K5, Canada
- Department of Criminology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 12666 72 Avenue, Surrey, V3W 2M8, Canada
| | - Chavisa Horemans
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, 588-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ronke Olawale
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1106, USA
| | - Mona Loutfy
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1N8, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
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Lacombe-Duncan A, Kia H, Logie CH, Todd KP, Persad Y, Leblanc G, Nation K, Scheim AI, Lyons T, Horemans C, Loutfy M. A qualitative exploration of barriers to HIV prevention, treatment and support: Perspectives of transgender women and service providers. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2021; 29:e33-e46. [PMID: 33237600 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transgender (trans) women experience barriers to access to HIV care, which result in their lower engagement in HIV prevention, treatment and support relative to cisgender people living with HIV. Studies of trans women's barriers to HIV care have predominantly focused on perspectives of trans women, while barriers are most often described at provider, organisation and/or systems levels. Comparing perspectives of trans women and service providers may promote a shared vision for achieving health equity. Thus, this qualitative study utilised focus groups and semi-structured interviews conducted 2018-2019 to understand barriers and facilitators to HIV care from the perspectives of trans women (n = 26) and service providers (n = 10). Barriers endorsed by both groups included: (a) anticipated and enacted stigma and discrimination in the provision of direct care, (b) lack of provider knowledge of HIV care needs for trans women, (c) absence of trans-specific services/organisations and (d) cisnormativity in sexual healthcare. Facilitators included: (a) provision of trans-positive trauma-informed care, (b) autonomy and choice for trans women in selecting sexual health services and (c) models for trans-affirming systems change. Each theme had significant overlap, yet nuanced perspective, between trans women and service providers. Specific recommendations to improve HIV care access for trans women are discussed. These recommendations can be used by administrators and service providers alike to work collaboratively with trans women to reduce barriers and facilitators to HIV care and ultimately to achieve health equity for trans women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Lacombe-Duncan
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hannah Kia
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kieran P Todd
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yasmeen Persad
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Leblanc
- Action Santé Travesti(e)s & Transsexuel(le)s du Québec (ASTT(E)Q), Montréal, Canada
| | - Kelendria Nation
- Prism Education Series, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ayden I Scheim
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tara Lyons
- Department of Criminology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Center for Gender & Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Mona Loutfy
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Reback CJ, Fletcher JB, Kisler KA. Text Messaging Improves HIV Care Continuum Outcomes Among Young Adult Trans Women Living with HIV: Text Me, Girl! AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3011-3023. [PMID: 34164763 PMCID: PMC10445544 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Young adult trans women living with HIV in the US exhibit suboptimal advancement through the HIV Care Continuum relative to national averages. From December 2016 through May 2018, 134 young adult trans women living with HIV enrolled in Text Me, Girl!, a theory-based, trans-specific text-messaging intervention designed to improve HIV Care Continuum outcomes. Participants (N = 130) averaged 29.5 years, were predominantly Latinx (43%) or African American/Black (40%). Clustered logistic and ordinal logistic multivariable models (n = 105; 366 observations) indicate that through 18-month follow-up, increased exposure to the text-messaging intervention was associated with significant (p < 0.05) increased retention to HIV care (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.33) and biomarker-confirmed viral suppression (aOR 1.51); retention in the intervention was associated with significantly increased likelihood of ART uptake (aOR 2.95) and "excellent" ART adherence (aOR 10.44). Text Me, Girl! offers promising evidence that a unidirectional, automated text-messaging intervention can improve HIV care outcomes among young adult trans women living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy J Reback
- Friends Research Institute, Inc., 6910 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA.
- Department of Family Medicine, Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Jesse B Fletcher
- Friends Research Institute, Inc., 6910 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA
| | - Kimberly A Kisler
- Friends Research Institute, Inc., 6910 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA
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Network Characteristics Associated with HIV Testing Conversations Among Transgender Women in Los Angeles County, California. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2336-2347. [PMID: 33609204 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03196-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This study examined associations between transgender women's social network characteristics, perceived network member HIV risk/protective behaviors and HIV testing conversations between transgender women and their network members. From July 2015 to September 2016, 264 transgender women who nominated 2529 social network members completed surveys on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV risk/protective behaviors, and egocentric social networks. Mixed-effects logistic regression evaluated discussion of HIV testing with network member characteristics and perceived HIV risk/protective behaviors. HIV testing conversations were positively associated with being named as a trans "mother" (aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.03-4.06) relationships of longer duration, and the following network member characteristics: perception as a confidant (3.09; 1.89-5.05), discussion of condom use (29.65; 16.75-52.49), knowledge of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (4.14; 2.11-8.15), and receipt of HIV testing (22.13; 11.47-42.69). HIV testing conversations were negatively associated with relationships where stimulants were used (aOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.12-0.84). These results indicate the importance of leveraging close relationship networks to increase HIV testing and the potential role for network-based HIV prevention strategies among transgender women.
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Maiorana A, Sevelius J, Keatley J, Rebchook G. "She is Like a Sister to Me." Gender-Affirming Services and Relationships are Key to the Implementation of HIV Care Engagement Interventions with Transgender Women of Color. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:72-83. [PMID: 31912274 PMCID: PMC7223907 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02777-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We present findings from qualitative interviews (N = 67) with 36 staff and 31 participants of nine distinct individual and/or group level interventions to engage transgender women of color (TWOC) in HIV care in the U.S. We examine the commonalities amongst the intervention services (addressing unmet basic needs, facilitating engagement in HIV care, health system navigation, improving health literacy, emotional support), and the relationships formed during implementation of the interventions (between interventionists and participants, among participants in intervention groups, between participants and peers in the community). Interventionists, often TWOC themselves, who provided these services developed caring relationships, promoted personal empowerment, and became role models for participants and the community. Intervention groups engaged participants to reinforce the importance of health and HIV care and provided mutual support. Gender affirming services and caring relationships may be two key characteristics of interventions that address individual and structural-level barriers to engage TWOC in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Maiorana
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd floor, Box 0886, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Jae Sevelius
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies and Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - JoAnne Keatley
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Greg Rebchook
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd floor, Box 0886, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Reback CJ, Kisler KA, Fletcher JB. A Novel Adaptation of Peer Health Navigation and Contingency Management for Advancement Along the HIV Care Continuum Among Transgender Women of Color. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:40-51. [PMID: 31187355 PMCID: PMC6904539 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02554-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Transgender women, particularly racial/ethnic minority transgender women, evidence disproportionately high rates of untreated HIV infection and disproportionately low rates of HIV viral suppression. The Alexis Project was a combined peer health navigation (PHN) and contingency management (CM) intervention that targeted HIV milestones associated with advancement along the HIV care continuum. From February 2014 through August 2016, 139 transgender women of color (TWOC) enrolled and received unlimited PHN sessions and an escalating CM rewards schedule for confirmed achievement of both behavioral (e.g., HIV care visits) and biomedical (e.g., viral load reductions and achieved/sustained viral suppression) HIV milestones. Results demonstrated that increased attendance to PHN sessions was associated with significant achievement of both behavioral (coef. range 0.12-0.38) and biomedical (coef. = 0.10) HIV milestones (all p ≤ 0.01); 85% were linked to HIV care, and 83% who enrolled detectable and achieved the minimum 1 log viral load reduction advanced to full viral suppression. The combined PHN and CM intervention successfully promoted advancement along the HIV Care Continuum, with particularly robust effects for behavioral HIV milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy J Reback
- Friends Research Institute, Inc, 6910 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA.
- Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Kimberly A Kisler
- Friends Research Institute, Inc, 6910 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA
| | - Jesse B Fletcher
- Friends Research Institute, Inc, 6910 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90038, USA
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Sevelius JM, Xavier J, Chakravarty D, Keatley J, Shade S, Rebchook G. Correlates of Engagement in HIV Care Among Transgender Women of Color in the United States of America. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3-12. [PMID: 34037930 PMCID: PMC10204129 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
HIV prevalence among transgender women of color (TWC) in the United States of America is high. We enrolled TWC living with HIV (N = 858) to evaluate 1nine HIV care interventions. We examined factors associated with four outcomes at enrollment: linkage to care, ever being on antiretroviral treatment, retention in care and viral suppression. The sample was 49% Hispanic/Latino, 42% Black; average age was 37 years; 77% were ever linked to care, 36% were ever on treatment, 22% were retained in care, and 36% were virally suppressed. Current hormone use was significantly associated with linkage, retention, and viral suppression (all aORs > 1.5), providing evidence for gender-affirming care as an important facilitator of engagement in HIV care. Greater health care empowerment was significantly associated with greater odds of all outcomes (aORs between 1.19 and 1.37). These findings identify potential intervention targets to improve the provision of care and treatment for TWC living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae M Sevelius
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, UCSF/CAPS, 550 16th Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Deepalika Chakravarty
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, UCSF/CAPS, 550 16th Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - JoAnne Keatley
- Innovative Response Globally for Transgender Women and HIV (IRGT), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Starley Shade
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Greg Rebchook
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, UCSF/CAPS, 550 16th Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Wilson EC, Turner C, Arayasirikul S, Woods T, Tryon J, Franza K, Lin R. HIV Care Engagement Among Trans Women of Color in San Francisco Bay Area Demonstration Projects: Findings from the Brandy Martell Project and TransAccess. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:31-39. [PMID: 31620900 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02697-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), trans women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV and have poor HIV care outcomes. The Brandy Martell Project and TransAccess were two demonstration projects aimed at increasing HIV care engagement and retention among trans women of color in the SFBA. Both projects took place in clinics with a long history of providing trans health care and social services. Both also relied on peer navigation to address systems barriers and promote HIV care linkage and engagement. Our analysis was to identify associations between intervention exposure and primary HIV care visits, ART prescription, and retention in HIV care. Using GEE, we estimated the association between intervention exposure measures (receipt of intervention, intervention dose, intervention provider, and peer dose) and any primary HIV care visit or ART prescription over the 12-month period. Overall, the Brandy Martell Project and TransAccess interventions had significantly positive associations with HIV care outcomes measured. Peer navigation also had a significantly positive association with HIV care outcomes. These interventions demonstrate promise for engaging and retaining trans women of color in HIV care, and call for future investment in this highly underserved community.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Wilson
- Department of Public Health, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - C Turner
- Department of Public Health, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S Arayasirikul
- Department of Public Health, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - T Woods
- Brandy Martell Project, TransVision Program, Tri City Health Center, Fremont, CA, USA
| | - J Tryon
- TransAccess Program, API Wellness Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K Franza
- TransAccess Program, API Wellness Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Lin
- TransAccess Program, API Wellness Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Using Machine Learning to Predict Young People's Internet Health and Social Service Information Seeking. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2021; 22:1173-1184. [PMID: 33974226 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-021-01255-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Machine learning creates new opportunities to design digital health interventions for youth at risk for acquiring HIV (YARH), capitalizing on YARH's health information seeking on the internet. To date, researchers have focused on descriptive analyses that associate individual factors with health-seeking behaviors, without estimating of the strength of these predictive models. We developed predictive models by applying machine learning methods (i.e., elastic net and lasso regression models) to YARH's self-reports of internet use. The YARH were aged 14-24 years old (N = 1287) from Los Angeles and New Orleans. Models were fit to three binary indicators of YARH's lifetime internet searches for general health, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and social service information. YARH responses regarding internet health information seeking were fed into machine learning models with potential predictor variables based on findings from previous research, including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual and gender minority identity, healthcare access and engagement, sexual behavior, substance use, and mental health. About half of the YARH reported seeking general health and SRH information and 26% sought social service information. Areas under the ROC curve (≥ .75) indicated strong predictive models and results were consistent with the existing literature. For example, higher education and sexual minority identification was associated with seeking general health, SRH, and social service information. New findings also emerged. Cisgender identity versus transgender and non-binary identities was associated with lower odds of general health, SRH, and social service information seeking. Experiencing intimate partner violence was associated with higher odds of seeking general health, SRH, and social service information. Findings demonstrate the ability to develop predictive models to inform targeted health information dissemination strategies but underscore the need to better understand health disparities that can be operationalized as predictors in machine learning algorithms.
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Hernandez CJ, Trujillo D, Sicro S, Meza J, Bella M, Daza E, Torres F, McFarland W, Turner CM, Wilson EC. High hepatitis C virus seropositivity, viremia, and associated risk factors among trans women living in San Francisco, California. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249219. [PMID: 33784365 PMCID: PMC8009419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Trans women have been understudied in the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic, yet data suggest they may be at elevated risk of the disease. Using data collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) survey, we measured HCV seropositivity, viremia, and associated risk factors for HCV infection among trans women in San Francisco from June 2019 to February 2020. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to obtain a diverse, community-based sample of 201 trans women, of whom 48 (23.9%, 95% CI 17.9% - 30.0%) were HCV seropositive. HCV seropositivity significantly increased with increasing age (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.07) and history of injection drug use (APR 4.44, 95% CI 2.15-9.18). We also found that many had HCV viremia as twelve (6.0% of the total sample, 95% CI 2.7% - 9.3%) were RNA-positive for HCV. Trans women are highly impacted by HCV and could benefit from access to regular and frequent HCV screening and treatment access. HCV screening could be offered regularly in trans-specific health services, in the community, in jails and prisons, and integrated syringe exchange programs where treatment access or referral are also available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dillon Trujillo
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Sofia Sicro
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Joaquin Meza
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Mackie Bella
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Emperatriz Daza
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Francisco Torres
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Willi McFarland
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Caitlin M. Turner
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Erin C. Wilson
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
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Witzel TC, Wright T, McCabe L, Gabriel MM, Wolton A, Gafos M, Ward D, Lampe FC, Phillips AN, Trevelion R, Collaco-Moraes Y, Harbottle J, Speakman A, Bonell C, Dunn DD, McCormack S, Burns FM, Weatherburn P, Rodger AJ. Impact and acceptability of HIV self-testing for trans men and trans women: A mixed-methods subgroup analysis of the SELPHI randomised controlled trial and process evaluation in England and Wales. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 32:100700. [PMID: 33681732 PMCID: PMC7910695 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, trans people are disproportionately affected by HIV, but research on strategies to increase testing are limited. SELPHI is a randomised-controlled-trial (RCT) of 10,135 cis men, trans men, and trans women reporting lifetime anal intercourse with male partners (cis or trans), evaluating whether the offer of free HIV self-testing (HIVST) increases diagnosis. This subgroup analysis from the SELPHI RCT aims to describe key HIVST outcomes and HIVST acceptability for trans people. METHODS SELPHI recruited using social networking and trans focused social media. Participants were randomised 60/40 to baseline HIVST (Biosure™) (BT) vs no baseline HIVST (nBT); and at 3-months (if completed the survey and reported recent CAI) 50/50 to 3-monthly HIVST (RT) vs no repeat HIVST (nRT). Outcomes were self-reported through online surveys. We conducted a qualitative study of semi-structured peer-led participant interviews (n = 20) exploring HIVST motivations and experiences. These were analysed using a framework approach. FINDINGS SELPHI recruited and randomised 118 trans men and trans women (94 trans men, 24 trans women), of whom 20 (16 trans men, 4 trans women) underwent the second randomisation. Median age at baseline was 29 (IQR: 22, 37), 79% were white, 79% were UK born, 37% had degree level education, and 31% had never tested for HIV. 62% (n = 59) of trans men completed the 3-month survey, but survey completion by trans women in nBT was too low (1/11) for randomised comparison. In trans men HIV testing uptake by 3 months was significantly higher in BT (95% 36/38) vs nBT (29%, 6/21) (RR=3.32 (1.68, 6.55) p<0.001). Trans people randomised to RT reported 3 times higher rate of HIV testing compared to nRT during the two-year follow-up (IRR 3.66 (1.86, 8.01) p<0.0001). STI testing frequency (mean number of tests during each 13 week period/ 2-year follow-up) was not significantly different across interventions: RT (0.03) and nRT (0.01) (IRR=1.86 95%CI; 0.77, 5.15; p = 0.15). Social harms were rare. Acceptability was very high in BT: 97% (38/39) found instructions easy to understand, 97% (37/38) found the HIVST simple to use and 100% (39/39) reported good overall experience. In interviews, reported HIVST benefits included increased autonomy, privacy, convenience and avoidance of health care providers perceived to be discriminatory and services that increased dysphoria. Minor lancet and test processing issues were reported. INTERPRETATION HIVST significantly increased testing uptake and frequency in trans men and trans people overall, although recruitment and retention of trans women was low. HIVST acceptability was high and indicates easy access to this novel technology may increase HIV testing access for this key population.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Charles Witzel
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author.
| | - Talen Wright
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne McCabe
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle M. Gabriel
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Aedan Wolton
- 56T, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Hospital Foundation Trust, 56 Dean Street, London W1D 4PR, United Kingdom
| | - Mitzy Gafos
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Denise Ward
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona C. Lampe
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew N. Phillips
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Roy Trevelion
- HIV i-base, 107 The Maltings, 169 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Yolanda Collaco-Moraes
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Harbottle
- SH:24, 35a Westminster Bridge Road, South Bank, London SE1 7JB, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Speakman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Bonell
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - David D. Dunn
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena McCormack
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona M. Burns
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Weatherburn
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Alison J. Rodger
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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Pitasi MA, Clark HA, Chavez PR, DiNenno EA, Delaney KP. HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Among Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men: 23 U.S. Cities. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:2442-2450. [PMID: 32020510 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02804-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transgender women face unique barriers to HIV testing and linkage to care. This article describes the results of a national testing initiative conducted by 36 community-based and other organizations using a variety of recruitment and linkage-to-care strategies. A total of 2191 HIV tests were conducted with an estimated 1877 unique transgender women, and 4.6% of the transgender women had confirmed positive results. Two thirds (66.3%) were linked to care within approximately three months of follow-up, and the median time to linkage was 7 days. Transgender women tested at clinical sites were linked to care faster than those tested at non-clinical sites (median: 0 vs. 12 days; P = .003). Despite the use of a variety of linkage-to-care strategies, the proportion of transgender women successfully linked to care was below national goals. Tailored programs and interventions are needed to increase HIV testing and improve timely linkage to care in this population.
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Sevelius JM, Gutierrez-Mock L, Zamudio-Haas S, McCree B, Ngo A, Jackson A, Clynes C, Venegas L, Salinas A, Herrera C, Stein E, Operario D, Gamarel K. Research with Marginalized Communities: Challenges to Continuity During the COVID-19 Pandemic. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:2009-2012. [PMID: 32415617 PMCID: PMC7228861 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02920-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jae M Sevelius
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Luis Gutierrez-Mock
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sophia Zamudio-Haas
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Breonna McCree
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Azize Ngo
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Akira Jackson
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carla Clynes
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Luz Venegas
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arianna Salinas
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Cinthya Herrera
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ellen Stein
- Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Don Operario
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kristi Gamarel
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Macapagal K, Li DH, Clifford A, Madkins K, Mustanski B. The CAN-DO-IT Model: a Process for Developing and Refining Online Recruitment in HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Research. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2020; 17:190-202. [PMID: 32444929 PMCID: PMC7380648 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-020-00491-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW HIV/AIDS and sexual health research has increasingly relied on online recruitment in recent years. However, as potential online recruitment avenues (e.g., dating and sexual networking applications, websites, social media) have proliferated, navigating this process has become increasingly complex. This paper presents a practical model to guide researchers through online recruitment irrespective of platform. RECENT FINDINGS The CAN-DO-IT model reflects 7 iterative steps based on work by the authors and other investigators: conceptualize scope of recruitment campaign, acquire necessary expertise, navigate online platforms, develop advertisements, optimize recruitment-to-enrollment workflow, implement advertising campaign, and track performance of campaigns and respond accordingly. Online recruitment can accelerate HIV/AIDS research, yet relatively limited guidance exists to facilitate this process across platforms. The CAN-DO-IT model presents one approach to demystify online recruitment and reduce enrollment barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Macapagal
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 14-057, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Dennis H Li
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 14-057, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology for Drug Abuse and HIV, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Antonia Clifford
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 14-057, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Krystal Madkins
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 14-057, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 14-057, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology for Drug Abuse and HIV, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Kuhn T, Mayer L, Klein CH. A Sexual Health Promotion App for Transgender Women (Trans Women Connected): Development and Usability Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020; 8:e15888. [PMID: 32396131 PMCID: PMC7251477 DOI: 10.2196/15888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV severely impacts the transgender communities in the United States, and transgender women have the highest HIV incidence rates among any identified risk group. Guided by formative research with transgender women and by an expert advisory panel of transgender women, we designed a prototype mobile app to promote HIV prevention among transgender women. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and test the usability and acceptability of the prototype Trans Women Connected mobile app. METHODS We engaged in a 3-phase prototype development process. After conducting formative research about the health needs of this population, we outlined a theory-based app framework and developed three prototype activities (ie, a vision board, a pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] education activity, and an interactive map). We then tested the usability and acceptability of the mobile app and activities with 16 transgender women using pre- and posttests, think-aloud protocols, and open-ended questions. RESULTS Participants reported high acceptability for the mobile app; the mean rating across all usability and likability questions was 5.9 out of 7. Service utilization intention, goal setting, and social support increased at posttest compared with pretest. Increases in self-efficacy in finding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-friendly services; intention to seek online social support; and PrEP knowledge were statistically significant. Participants described the app as attractive and useful and perceived all three activities positively. CONCLUSIONS This study describes the development and usability and acceptability evaluation of a prototype mobile app designed for and with transgender women for HIV prevention. The usability testing findings provided important insights toward refining and the further development of the Trans Women Connected mobile app. The results suggest that a mobile health intervention can support positive changes. The remaining development and efficacy randomized trial of the Trans Women Connected mobile app is currently underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J Sun
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kirsten M Anderson
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - Liat Mayer
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Charles H Klein
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
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Klein PW, Psihopaidas D, Xavier J, Cohen SM. HIV-related outcome disparities between transgender women living with HIV and cisgender people living with HIV served by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: A retrospective study. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003125. [PMID: 32463815 PMCID: PMC7255591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, approximately one-fifth of transgender women are living with HIV-nearly one-half of Black/African American (Black) transgender women are living with HIV. Limited data are available on HIV-related clinical indicators among transgender women. This is because of a lack of robust transgender data collection and research, especially within demographic subgroups. The objective of this study was to examine retention in care and viral suppression among transgender women accessing the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP)-supported HIV care, compared with cisgender women and cisgender men. METHODS AND FINDINGS We assessed the association between gender (cisgender or transgender) and (1) retention in care and (2) viral suppression using 2016 client-level RWHAP Services Report data. Multivariable modified Poisson regression models adjusting for confounding by age, race, health care coverage, housing, and poverty level, overall and stratified by race/ethnicity, were used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In 2016, the RWHAP served 6,534 transgender women (79.8% retained in care, 79.0% virally suppressed), 143,173 cisgender women (83.7% retained in care, 84.0% virally suppressed), and 382,591 cisgender men (81.0% retained in care, 85.9% virally suppressed). Black transgender women were less likely to be retained in care than Black cisgender women (aPR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97, p < 0.001). Black transgender women were also less likely to reach viral suppression than Black cisgender women (aPR: 0.55, 95%I CI: 0.41-0.73, p < 0.001) and Black cisgender men (aPR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.42-0.73, p < 0.001). A limitation of the study is that RWHAP data are collected for administrative, not research, purposes, and clinical outcome measures, including retention and viral suppression, are only reported to the RWHAP for the approximately 60% of RWHAP clients engaged in RWHAP-supported outpatient medical care. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we observed disparities in HIV clinical outcomes among Black transgender women. These results fill an important gap in national HIV data about transgender people with HIV. Reducing barriers to HIV medical care for transgender women is critical to decrease disparities among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela W. Klein
- Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Demetrios Psihopaidas
- Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jessica Xavier
- Independent Consultant, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stacy M. Cohen
- Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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A Gap Between Willingness and Uptake: Findings From Mixed Methods Research on HIV Prevention Among Black and Latina Transgender Women. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 82:131-140. [PMID: 31180995 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black and Latina transgender women (BLTW) face significant HIV disparities with estimated HIV prevalence up to 50% and annual incidence rates as high as 2.8 per 100 person-years. However, few studies have evaluated the acceptability and uptake of high-impact HIV prevention interventions among BLTW. SETTING Data collection took place in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC from May 2015 to May 2017. METHODS This mixed methods study included quantitative interviewer-administered surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Rapid HIV testing followed each survey. Logistic regression models tested associations between legal gender affirmation (ie, desired name and gender marker on identity documents), transgender pride, history of exchange sex, HIV risk perception, and willingness to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Transcripts of qualitative data were coded to identify common themes related to engagement in HIV prevention. RESULTS Among 201 BLTW, 56% tested HIV-positive and 87% had heard of PrEP. Only 18% who had heard of PrEP had ever taken it. Of the 72 self-reported HIV-negative or status-unknown BLTW who had never taken PrEP, 75% were willing to take it. In multivariable analyses, history of exchange sex was associated with willingness to take PrEP, whereas greater HIV knowledge and transgender pride were associated with lower likelihood of willingness to take PrEP. Concern about drug interactions with hormone therapy was the most frequently reported barrier to PrEP uptake. CONCLUSIONS Noting the disconnect between PrEP willingness and uptake among BLTW, HIV prevention programs could bridge this gap by responding to identified access barriers and incorporating community-derived strategies.
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Song W, Mulatu MS, Rao S, Wang G, Kudon HZ, O’Connor K. HIV Partner Service Delivery Among Transgender Women - United States, 2013-2017. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2020; 69:35-39. [PMID: 31945033 PMCID: PMC6973352 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6902a3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Reback CJ, Rünger D. Technology use to facilitate health care among young adult transgender women living with HIV. AIDS Care 2019; 32:785-792. [PMID: 31405287 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1653439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how young adult transgender women living with HIV use digital technologies to facilitate their health care. This study examined the use of digital technologies to search for health information and support HIV care among young adult transgender women living with HIV (N = 130) in Los Angeles County, California. About half used the Internet "all the time" to search for transgender-specific resources (TSR; 53.8%) and for sexual health information (SHI; 51.5%). Less than half (39.2%) received digital HIV care reminders and, of those taking ART medication (n = 63), 36.5% received digital medication reminders. Internet information search was associated with Hispanic/Latina ethnicity (TSR: OR = 0.23, 95% CI [0.09, 0.58]; SHI: OR = 0.29, 95% CI [0.12, 0.73]) and higher (≥ $500) past-month income (TSR: OR = 2.67, 95% CI [1.13, 6.34]; SHI: OR = 2.67, 95% CI [1.14, 6.26]); receiving digital medication reminders with post-secondary educational attainment (OR = 5.70, 95% CI [1.04, 31.19]) and higher income (OR = 6.73, 95% CI [1.52, 29.67]). Receiving analog, but not digital, HIV care reminders was associated with engagement in HIV care (OR = 2.37, 95% CI [1.13, 5.00]) and ART uptake (OR = 2.18, 95% CI [1.06, 4.48]. Digital technology use was common for health-related searches but not for supporting HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy J Reback
- Friends Research Institute, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dennis Rünger
- Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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45
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Kalichman SC, Hernandez D, Finneran S, Price D, Driver R. Transgender women and HIV-related health disparities: falling off the HIV treatment cascade. Sex Health 2019; 14:469-476. [PMID: 28870282 DOI: 10.1071/sh17015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Background Transgender women living with HIV infection experience poorer health outcomes across the HIV continuum of care. While disparities are well established, their underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study examined the HIV continuum of care (also known as the HIV treatment cascade), including linkage and engagement in care and health status among transgender women and cisgender women and cisgender men living with HIV. METHOD Case-control matching was applied to a cohort of 1101 people living with HIV; 70 transgender women living with HIV were matched on years since testing HIV positive with cisgender women and cisgender men. Participants provided measures indicative of the HIV treatment cascade that included linkage and engagement in care, receiving and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIV viral suppression. Common correlates of HIV-related health status: depression symptoms, HIV-related stress, alcohol and drug use, healthcare conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, emotional social support and tangible social support, were also assessed. RESULTS Transgender women were significantly less likely to receive ART, were less adherent to ART and had poorer HIV viral suppression than cisgender persons. Multivariable models demonstrated that health disparities were predicted by transgender women having poorer tangible social support over and above the other correlates of health outcomes. CONCLUSION Tangible support is amenable by interventions such as building and strengthening supportive networks and paraprofessional services. Socially supportive interventions should be considered critical in efforts to decrease HIV health disparities among transgender women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth C Kalichman
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Dominica Hernandez
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Stephanie Finneran
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Devon Price
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Redd Driver
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269
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Kaplan RL, El Khoury C, Lize N, Wehbe S, Mokhbat J. Feasibility and Acceptability of a Behavioral Group Support Intervention Among Transgender Women: A Sexual and Mental Health Mixed-Methods Pilot Study in Beirut, Lebanon. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2019; 31:246-258. [PMID: 31145003 PMCID: PMC6594385 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.3.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Transgender women are among the most at risk of populations for HIV infection and transmission globally. Feasible and acceptable intervention strategies that are culturally and contextually appropriate are urgently needed to address the burden of disease worldwide. The first study to address the unique health needs of transgender women in the Middle East and North Africa, this mixed-methods pilot (N = 16) demonstrated high levels of feasibility and acceptability among adult transgender women in Lebanon as measured quantitatively and qualitatively in the domains of: time allotment, venue, group dynamics, facilitation, content, and retention. The intervention, adapted from an existing trans-facilitated group support intervention, addresses the sexual and mental health of transgender women with mixed HIV status. Next steps should include scale-up, randomization, and testing to determine larger-scale feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy for mitigating sexual and mental health risk and promoting community connectedness and social cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Kaplan
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences / Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health and San Francisco State University Center for Research and Education on Gender and Sexuality, San Francisco, California
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Yi S, Sok S, Chhim S, Chhoun P, Chann N, Tuot S, Mun P, Pantelic M. Access to community-based HIV services among transgender women in Cambodia: findings from a national survey. Int J Equity Health 2019; 18:72. [PMID: 31101106 PMCID: PMC6889562 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-0974-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, the prevalence of HIV among transgender women is more than 40 times higher than the prevalence in the general reproductive-age adults. They also face intersecting barriers to health, social, and legal services due to their hidden and stigmatized nature. Despite the particular needs, data regarding the access to services among transgender populations is scant globally. This study aims to identify characteristics of transgender women in Cambodia that may determine their accessibility to community-based HIV services. Methods In the National Biological and Behavioral Survey 2016, a structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews with 1375 sexually active transgender women recruited from the capital city and 12 other provinces using the Respondent-Driven Sampling method. Weighted multivariate regression analysis was conducted to explore factors associated with access to community-based HIV services. Results The mean age of the participants was 25.8 years (SD = 7.1), and 45.0% reported having received at least one community-based HIV service in the past three months. Compared to participants who reported not having been reached by any community-based HIV programs, participants who reported having been reached by the programs were significantly more likely to reside in an urban setting (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.01–1.96), to have used gender-affirming hormones (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.17–1.92), to have been tested for HIV in the past six months (AOR = 7.42, 95% CI = 5.78–9.53), and to have been arrested by police or other authorities because of their transgender identity (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.03–2.33). Participants who reported having been reached by community-based HIV programs were significantly less likely to report being in a receptive role (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.15–0.82), to use condoms consistently with non-commercial male partners (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55–0.94), and to perceive that their co-workers were not supportive regarding their transgender identity (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.44–0.98). Conclusions Despite the extensive expansion of community-based HIV programs, less than half of transgender women in this national survey had access to the services. Innovative strategies and culturally sensitive interventions should be put in place to reach and respond to the needs of sub-groups of transgender women who are less likely to be reached by the existing traditional approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyan Yi
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore & National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore. .,KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. .,Center for Global Health Research, Touro University California, Vallejo, USA.
| | - Say Sok
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore & National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | | | - Pheak Chhoun
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore & National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Navy Chann
- Surveillance Unit, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sovannary Tuot
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore & National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Phalkun Mun
- Surveillance Unit, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Marija Pantelic
- Frontline AIDS, Brighton, UK.,Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Canoy N, Thapa S, Hannes K. Transgender persons' HIV care (dis)engagement: a qualitative evidence synthesis protocol from an ecological systems theory perspective. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025475. [PMID: 30670527 PMCID: PMC6347901 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There seems to be little information on interactional patterns of enabling and constraining factors contributing to HIV care engagement across systems and across time. Understanding these patterns from a (micro-meso-macro-exo) systems perspective can provide rich insights on relevant social networks affecting transgender populations. In this review, we will synthesise the wealth of literature on transgender persons' engagement in the HIV care continuum. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will perform a networked systems approach to qualitative evidence synthesis of relevant qualitative research data generated from primary qualitative, mixed-method and evaluation studies exploring HIV care engagement among diverse transgender populations. Studies not using qualitative methods and studies not published in English will be excluded from this review. Empirical studies will be identified via a search in major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, Embase, Web of Science, Sociological Abstracts, PsychInfo and Social Services Abstract in January 2019. Two reviewers will independently screen the studies for inclusion, assess their quality and extract data. In case some of the system levels in the network are ill-covered by empirical studies, non-empirical studies will be considered for inclusion. The qualitative evidence synthesis includes a summary of descriptive data (first order), an exploration of relationships between system levels or their components (second order) and a structured summary of research evidence through narrative synthesis. The narrative synthesis will be extended with an overall social network analysis that visualises important nodes and links cutting across ecological systems. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not required to conduct this review. Review findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed academic journals and a targeted information campaign towards organisations that work with our population of interest. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42018089956.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Canoy
- Department of Psychology, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
| | - Subash Thapa
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karin Hannes
- Social Research Methodology Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leuven, Belgium
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Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig K, Rosenberg E, Sanchez T, LeGrand S, Gravens L, Sullivan PS. University of North Carolina/Emory Center for Innovative Technology (iTech) for Addressing the HIV Epidemic Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: Protocol and Rationale for Center Development. JMIR Res Protoc 2018; 7:e10365. [PMID: 30076126 PMCID: PMC6098243 DOI: 10.2196/10365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Over a fifth of all new HIV infections in the United States occur among persons aged 13 24 years, with most of these diagnoses occurring among gay and bisexual males (81%). While the epidemic of HIV in the United States has leveled off for many age groups, the annual number of new HIV diagnoses among young men who have sex with men (YMSM; 13-24 years old) remains high. Traditional approaches to continuum improvement for youth have been insufficient, and targeted interventions are urgently needed for young people at risk for or infected with HIV. Interventions delivered through mobile health technology represent a promising approach for improving outcomes in this population. Mobile phones have nearly reached saturation among youth, making mobile technology a particularly promising tool for reaching this population. Objective The University of North Carolina/Emory Center for Innovative Technology (iTech) is a National Institutes of Health cooperative agreement as part of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions. iTech aims to impact the HIV epidemic by conducting innovative, interdisciplinary research on technology-based interventions across the HIV prevention and care continuum for adolescents and young adults in the United States, particularly YMSM, by providing the following: (1) evaluation of novel approaches to identifying youth with undiagnosed HIV infections; (2) evaluation of multilevel, combination prevention approaches, particularly relevant to gender- and sexual-minority youth facing co-occurring health risks; (3) evaluation of uptake of and adherence to biomedical prevention modalities; and 4) evaluation of interventions designed to promote or optimize engagement in care and antiretroviral therapy adherence in HIV-positive youth, to optimize viral load suppression. Methods iTech brings together multidisciplinary experts in the fields of adolescent HIV treatment and prevention, development and evaluation of technology-based interventions, HIV surveillance and epidemiology, and intervention design and evaluation. This initiative will support 8 efficacy trials and 2 exploratory projects, each led by 2 principal investigators. Taken together, the studies address all of the key steps of the HIV prevention and care continuum for youth in the United States. Each proposal uses technology in a scientifically rigorous and innovative way to access, engage, and impact at-risk or infected youth. Nine iTech subject recruitment venues are spread across 8 US cities. Three cores (management, analytic, and technology) support all iTech activities and form the research network’s infrastructure, facilitating all aspects of study implementation and evaluation. Results Formative work has already begun on many of the above-mentioned iTech trials. We expect the first randomized controlled trials to begin in mid-2018. Additional details can be found in the individual intervention protocol papers in this issue. Conclusions Through its comprehensive research portfolio, iTech aims to effectively advance HIV prevention and care for youth through technology-based, youth-relevant interventions that maximize adaptability and sustainability. Registered Report Identifier RR1-10.2196/10365
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B Hightow-Weidman
- Behavior and Technology Lab, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Kathryn Muessig
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Eli Rosenberg
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Travis Sanchez
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sara LeGrand
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Laura Gravens
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Patrick S Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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50
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Uhrig JD, Stryker JE, Bresee S, Gard Read J, Parvanta S, Ruiz F, DeLuca N. HIV information needs of transgender people and their healthcare providers. AIDS Care 2018; 31:357-363. [PMID: 30021453 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1499862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite the disproportionate burden of HIV among transgender people in the United States, few HIV-related communication materials exist for transgender people or their healthcare providers. Our goal was to understand the barriers and facilitators transgender people face in accessing HIV prevention, testing, and care services and the potential implications for message development and dissemination. We reviewed the literature and interviewed nine key informants representing healthcare and service providers, researchers, and transgender advocates. Healthcare providers who care for transgender patients often demonstrate a lack of transgender competent care strategies. In addition, transgender people face many barriers to accessing HIV services. Although communication materials cannot address many of these barriers, materials specifically developed for transgender people and their healthcare providers would fill a gap and may increase uptake of HIV services. Materials for transgender people should include gender-affirming messaging and imagery, be framed in terms of resiliency, and present HIV information tailored to the needs of transgender people. Materials for healthcare providers should provide basic information to increase transgender competency and provision of comprehensive healthcare for transgender patients, inclusive of gender-affirming and HIV prevention, testing and care services. Channels for disseminating materials to transgender people and healthcare providers are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Uhrig
- a Center for Communication Science, RTI International , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Jo Ellen Stryker
- b National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Division for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Sara Bresee
- b National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Division for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Jennifer Gard Read
- a Center for Communication Science, RTI International , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Sarah Parvanta
- a Center for Communication Science, RTI International , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Francisco Ruiz
- b National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Division for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Nickolas DeLuca
- c Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA , USA
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