Factors Associated with Use of HIV Prevention and Health Care Among Transgender Women - Seven Urban Areas, 2019-2020

Efficacy of the mLab App: a randomized clinical trial for increasing HIV testing uptake using mobile technology

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of the mLab App, a mobile-delivered HIV prevention intervention to increase HIV self-testing in MSM and TGW.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized (2:2:1) clinical trial of the efficacy the mLab App as compared to standard of care vs mailed home HIV test arm among 525 MSM and TGW aged 18-29 years to increase HIV testing.

RESULTS

The mLab App arm participants demonstrated an increase from 35.1% reporting HIV testing in the prior 6 months compared to 88.5% at 6 months. In contrast, 28.8% of control participants reported an HIV test at baseline, which only increased to 65.1% at 6 months. In a generalized linear mixed model estimating this change and controlling for multiple observations of participants, this equated to control participants reporting a 61.2% smaller increase in HIV testing relative to mLab participants (P = .001) at 6 months. This difference was maintained at 12 months with control participants reporting an 82.6% smaller increase relative to mLab App participants (P < .001) from baseline to 12 months.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that the mLab App is well-supported, evidence-based, behavioral risk-reduction intervention for increasing HIV testing rates as compared to the standard of care, suggesting that this may be a useful behavioral risk-reduction intervention for increasing HIV testing among young MSM.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03803683.

HIV service use among minoritized racial and ethnic transgender and gender non-conforming youth in the U.S South: a qualitative investigation

Transgender youth are disproportionately affected by HIV, particularly minoritized youth in the US south. To understand HIV service use among transgender youth, we interviewed 25 young racial and ethnic minority clients of four southern community-based HIV service organizations (CBOs), and CBO staff (n = 12), about service access and use. Participants were assigned male at birth and identified as female (n = 8), transgender (n = 11) or gender-fluid or nonbinary (n = 6). The majority were Black/African American or mixed race; four were Hispanic or Latino/a. Most were unemployed; nearly half were unstably housed or homeless during the prior year. Four service types were each used by approximately two-thirds of participants: counseling/support, HIV/STD testing/education, pre-exposure prophylaxis education/prescriptions, and transgender-related medical services (primarily hormone provision). Just over a quarter used social services (e.g., housing, employment). Key facilitators to service use included a non-stigmatizing CBO atmosphere, and easy and convenient access. Poor access (e.g., inconvenient hours, location), lack of transportation or parking, social service needs, and lack of money were barriers. Qualitative reports highlighted unmet social service needs, particularly housing, especially for those without HIV. To reduce disparities, HIV prevention for racial and ethnic minoritized transgender youth should simultaneously address hormone provision, HIV risk reduction and social service needs.

Site-Based and Digital Cohort Participation Among Transgender Women in the Eastern and Southern United States: Findings From the LITE Study

BACKGROUND

Transgender women (TW) are highly burdened by HIV. There is increasing interest in digital (ie, through Internet-based interfaces) HIV research; yet few studies have assessed potential biases of digital compared with site-based data collection. This study examined differences in characteristics between TW participating through site-based versus digital-only modes in an HIV incidence cohort.

METHODS

Between March 2018 and Aug 2020, a multisite cohort of 1312 adult TW in the eastern and southern United States was enrolled in site-based and exclusively digital modes. We evaluated differences in baseline demographics, sociostructural vulnerabilities, health care access, gender affirmation, mental health, stigma, social support, and HIV acquisition risk comparing site-based vs digital modes using χ 2 tests and Poisson regression modeling with robust standard errors.

RESULTS

The overall median age was 28 (interquartile range = 23-35) years and more than half identified as people of color (15% Black, 13% Multiracial, 12% Another Race, 18% Latina/e/x). A higher proportion of site-based (vs. digital mode) participants resided in the northeast, were younger, identified as people of color, experienced sociostructural vulnerabilities, had a regular health care provider, received medical gender affirmation, endorsed mental health symptoms and stigma, reported HIV acquisition risk but also greater experience with biomedical HIV prevention (preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis), and had larger social networks (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Site-based and digital approaches enrolled TW with different demographics, life experiences, and HIV acquisition risks. A hybrid cohort model may achieve a more diverse and potentially representative sample of TW than either site-based or online cohorts alone for HIV research.

Innovation and implementation determinants of HIV testing and linkage-to-care in the U.S.: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify innovation and implementation determinants of HIV testing, diagnosis, and linkage-to-care in the U.S.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING

Between November 2020 and January 2022, a broad search strategy was employed in three literature databases: Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

A team of master's and Ph.D.-level researchers screened eligible studies against the inclusion criteria and extracted the data using COVIDENCE software in pairs with consensus performed by a senior member of the team. Barriers and facilitators were extracted and analyzed according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Frequency of determinants across studies was mapped according to CFIR, valence, study design, delivery setting, unit of analysis, population of interest, region of the U.S., and year.

RESULTS

We identified 1,739 implementation and innovation determinants from 186 articles. Most determinants were for HIV testing rather than linkage-to-care. Most determinants were identified in the inner setting and individuals domains of CFIR, with the fewest identified in the process and innovations domains. Determinants of providers were only slightly more frequently identified than determinants of recipients. However, determinants of organizations and systems were rarely identified.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a synthesis of innovation and implementation determinants of HIV testing and linkage-to-care using the most-cited implementation science (IS) framework, CFIR. This synthesis enables the larger field of HIV science to utilize IS in efforts to end the HIV epidemic and positions IS to consider the application of IS frameworks to fields like HIV.

Gender Identity Stigma in Transgender Women Is Higher After Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty

Gender affirmation may reduce stigma and gender-based discrimination that drive increased behaviors that can lead to HIV in transgender women (TW). For many TW, vaginoplasty is gender affirming, yet has not been previously evaluated with regard to likelihood of HIV. This pilot study of TW aimed to evaluate the influence of gender-affirming vaginoplasty on stigma and the drivers of HIV acquisition. Adult TW without HIV were recruited. Interviewer-administered surveys were used to assess demographics, gender identity stigma, psychosocial factors, importance of and satisfaction with gender affirmation, and behaviors that increase the likelihood of HIV in TW who had either undergone gender-affirming vaginoplasty (TWWV) or who had not (TWWOV). Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Thirty TW without HIV (19-83 years old) participated (TWWV = 10; TWWOV = 20). The majority identified with ethnic minority groups (n = 21, 70%) and on gender-affirming hormone therapy (n = 25, 83%). Gender identity stigma (38.0; 32.15, p = .03) and social oppression (53.6; 39.4, p = .05) scores were significantly higher among TWWV compared with TWWOV. Satisfaction with body (3.10; 1.95, p = .01), appearance (3.10; 2.10, p = .02), and femininity (3.40; 2.25, p = .001) were higher among TWWV than TWWOV. Present (n = 8, 27%) and past (n = 16, 53%) survival sex work, multiple sex partners (n = 16, 53%), and receptive condomless anal intercourse (n = 10, 33%) were reported but did not vary significantly between groups. Behaviors that may lead to HIV acquisition and their underlying drivers, including gender identity stigma, are present after gender-affirming vaginoplasty. As this procedure continues to increase among TW, interventions to mitigate chances of HIV acquisition are critically needed in this population.

Transgender Women Experiencing Homelessness - National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women, Seven Urban Areas, United States, 2019-2020

Transgender women experience high prevalence of homelessness, which can affect their likelihood of acquiring HIV infection and can lead to poor medical outcomes. CDC analyzed data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women to identify whether personal characteristics and social factors affecting transgender women were associated with duration of homelessness during the past 12 months. Longer duration and chronic homelessness might indicate greater unmet needs, which increases their likelihood for acquiring HIV infection. Ordinal logistic regression was conducted to calculate adjusted prevalence odds ratios and 95% CIs for transgender women from seven urban areas in the United States experiencing homelessness 30-365 nights, 1-29 nights, and zero nights during the past 12 months. Among 1,566 transgender women, 9% reported 1-29 nights homeless and 31% reported 30-365 nights homeless during the past 12 months. Among participants who reported physical intimate partner violence or forced sex, 50% and 47%, respectively, reported experiencing 30-365 nights homeless. Furthermore, 55% who had been evicted or denied housing because of their gender identity and 58% who had been incarcerated during the past year experienced 30-365 nights homeless. The odds of transgender women experiencing longer duration of homelessness was associated with being younger and having a disability; higher psychological distress scores were associated with longer duration of homelessness. Analysis of social determinants of health found transgender women experiencing longer homelessness to be less educated, living below the Federal poverty level, and having lower social support. Therefore, focusing on HIV prevention and interventions addressing housing instability to reduce the duration of homelessness among transgender women is important. Further, integrating housing services with behavioral health services and clinical care, specifically designed for transgender women, could reduce HIV acquisition risk and improve HIV infection outcomes.

Prevalence of Discrimination and the Association Between Employment Discrimination and Health Care Access and Use - National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women, Seven Urban Areas, United States, 2019-2020

Transgender women experience discrimination in many settings, including in employment. Because employment and health insurance are intertwined in the United States, employment discrimination might be related to lower health insurance coverage and health care use, including gender-affirming care. This analysis used data from transgender women (N = 1,608) in seven urban areas in the United States collected during 2019-2020 to present the prevalence of six discrimination types (employment, housing, bathroom, businesses, health care, and abuse) and to measure the association between employment discrimination (defined as trouble getting a job or fired due to being transgender) and sociodemographic characteristics, health care access, and health care use. Log-linked Poisson regression models were conducted to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% CIs. Seven in 10 transgender women experienced at least one type of discrimination during the past 12 months. During the same period, 9.9% of transgender women were fired and 32.4% had trouble getting a job because of being transgender. Employment discrimination was associated with younger age and lower socioeconomic status. Having trouble getting a job was associated with health care access and health care use factors, including having no health insurance or having Medicaid only, having an unmet medical need because of cost, never having transgender-specific care, and having an unmet need for gender-affirming procedures. These findings suggest that employment discrimination contributes to transgender women's economic marginalization and their ability to obtain adequate health insurance coverage and achieve their transition goals. These findings might help guide efforts that protect transgender women's right to pursue their work, health, and life goals without discrimination.

Overview and Methodology of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women - Seven Urban Areas, United States, 2019-2020

Transgender women, especially transgender women of color, are disproportionately affected by HIV. However, no surveillance system collects data on HIV risk factors among this population. To address this gap, CDC developed a surveillance system entitled National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women (NHBS-Trans) to assess behavioral and contextual data through systematic biobehavioral surveillance to monitor behavioral risk factors, prevention usage, and HIV prevalence among transgender women. NHBS-Trans used respondent-driven sampling in seven urban areas in the United States. Trained interviewers used a standardized, anonymous questionnaire to collect information on HIV-related behavioral risk factors, HIV testing, and use of prevention services. Each of the seven participating project areas recruited approximately 200 eligible transgender women and offered anonymous HIV testing. Overall, in the seven project areas, 1,757 participants completed the eligibility screener for NHBS-Trans during 2019-2020; of these, 6.6% were seeds (i.e., a limited number of initial participants who were chosen by referrals from persons and community-based organizations who knew or were part of the local population of transgender women). A total of 1,637 (93.2%) participants were eligible, consented, and completed the interview. Of these, 1,624 (99.2%) agreed to HIV testing. Of the total 1,637 participants, 29 participants did not report identity of woman or transgender woman, resulting in a final sample of 1,608 transgender women. NHBS-Trans project area staff members (n = 14) reported that the survey was timely and addressed a critical need for HIV surveillance in a population that is often overlooked. The MMWR supplement includes this overview report on NHBS-Trans, which describes the methods (history, participant eligibility criteria, questionnaire, data collection, and HIV testing) as well as evaluation of project implementation and the performance of the questionnaire content, specifically the acceptability for transgender women. The other NHBS-Trans reports in the supplement include information on pre-exposure prophylaxis use, psychosocial syndemic conditions and condomless anal intercourse, nonprescription hormone use, homelessness, discrimination and the association between employment discrimination and health care access and use, and social support and the association between certain types of violence and harassment (gender-based verbal and physical abuse or harassment, physical intimate partner abuse or harassment, and sexual violence) and suicidal ideation. NHBS-Trans provides important data related to the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative. Findings from NHBS-Trans can help guide community leaders, clinicians, and public health officials in improving access to and use of HIV prevention and treatment services by transgender women.

Lived experiences with pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and adherence among transgender women in Thailand: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Transgender women (TGW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, and HIV prevalence among TGW in Thailand has been increasing. Although oral daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective for HIV prevention, PrEP uptake and persistence among TGW have been low. This study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of TGW's experiences with PrEP uptake and adherence, and to identify major barriers to PrEP use to inform intervention adaptation.

METHODS

We interviewed 20 young TGW (six non-PrEP users, eight adherent, six non-adherent) and 10 health care providers from two HIV clinics in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2022. We focused on understanding challenges to PrEP use in this population using an interview guide based on a theoretical model of behaviour change and thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified major barriers to and facilitators of PrEP uptake and adherence. Barriers to PrEP initiation included low self-perceived HIV risk, concern about potential side-effects, patient burdens such as frequent HIV testing for prescription refills and social stigma against PrEP. Barriers to adherence included side-effects, inconvenient access to health services (especially during COVID-19 lockdowns), forgetfulness resulting from busy schedules and low self-perceived HIV risk. TGW also reported health care providers' stigma against PrEP users deterred them from seeking further PrEP services. TGW identified major facilitators of PrEP initiation, including awareness about the benefits of PrEP, concern about risks of HIV and supportive social networks of PrEP users. As to PrEP regimens, most TGW participants reported a clear preference for long-lasting, injectable PrEP over daily oral PrEP. TGW and health care providers largely agreed on barriers and facilitators of PrEP use, but they differed in perceptions of HIV risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlighted challenges and opportunities to improve the delivery of PrEP, as well as other sexually transmissable infection and mental health services, especially among TGW. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing effective intervention programs that could raise PrEP awareness and knowledge, reduce PrEP stigma, and improve PrEP delivery systems among TGW in Thailand.

Transgender Individuals and Digital Health

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.

Community engagement to improve access to healthcare: a comparative case study to advance implementation science for transgender health equity

BACKGROUND

Recent calls to action have been made for Implementation Science to attend to health inequities at the intersections of race, gender, and social injustice in the United States. Transgender people, particularly Black and Latina transgender women, experience a range of health inequities and social injustices. In this study, we compared two processes of transgender community engagement in Los Angeles and in Chicago as an implementation strategy to address inequitable access to care; we adapted and extended the Exploration Planning Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework for transgender health equity.

METHODS

A comparative case method and the EPIS framework were used to examine parallel implementation strategies of transgender community engagement to expand access to care. To foster conceptual development and adaptation of EPIS for trans health equity, the comparative case method required detailed description, exploration, and analyses of the community-engagement processes that led to different interventions to expand access. In both cities, the unit of analysis was a steering committee made up of local transgender and cisgender stakeholders.

RESULTS

Both steering committees initiated their exploration processes with World Café-style, transgender community-engaged events in order to assess community needs and structural barriers to healthcare. The steering committees curated activities that amplified the voices of transgender community members among stakeholders, encouraging more effective and collaborative ways to advance transgender health equity. Based on analysis and findings from the Los Angeles town hall, the steering committee worked with a local medical school, extending the transgender medicine curriculum, and incorporating elements of transgender community-engagement. The Chicago steering committee determined from their findings that the most impactful intervention on structural racism and barriers to healthcare access would be to design and pilot an employment program for Black and Latina transgender women.

CONCLUSION

In Los Angeles and Chicago, transgender community engagement guided implementation processes and led to critical insights regarding specific, local barriers to healthcare. The steering committee itself represented an important vehicle for individual-, organizational-, and community-level relationship and capacity building. This comparative case study highlights key adaptations of EPIS toward the formation of an implementation science framework for transgender health equity.