1. Contextual, experiential, and behavioral risk factors associated with HIV status: a descriptive analysis of transgender women residing in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Author
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Salazar, Laura F., Crosby, Richard A., Jones, Jamal, Kota, Krishna, Hill, Brandon, and Masyn, Katherine E.
- Subjects
HIV infections ,TRANSGENDER people ,HIV-positive women ,WOMEN ,CHILD sexual abuse ,RAPE victims ,INTIMATE partner violence ,IMPRISONMENT ,DISEASES ,HIV infection epidemiology ,HIV infection transmission ,HIV infections & psychology ,RISK-taking behavior ,HUMAN sexuality ,RAPE ,DISEASE prevalence ,SEXUAL partners - Abstract
This study assessed the prevalence of self-reported HIV infection among a community sample of transgender women and identified associated contextual, experiential, and behavioral factors. Ninety-two transgender women completed a self-administered interview. Recruitment occurred through an LGBT service organization, a transgender support group, transgender advocates, and informal communications. Eighty-two percent were African American/Black. Of 83 who knew their status, 60% reported being HIV infected. High rates of childhood sexual abuse (52%), rape (53%), intimate partner violence (56%), and incarceration (57%) were reported. Many did not have health insurance (53%), were not employed full-time nor in school (63%) and had been recently homeless (49%). HIV-infected transgender women as compared to HIV-uninfected transgender women were more likely to be African American/Black ( P = 0.04), and older than 34 years ( P = 0.01), unemployed/not in school ( P < 0.001). HIV-infected transgender women also experienced less trans-related discrimination ( P = 0.03), perceived less negative psychosocial impact due to trans status ( P = 0.04) and had greater happiness with their physical appearance ( P = 0.01). HIV-infected transgender women may experience relatively less trans-related stress compared to their HIV-uninfected counterparts. High rates of HIV, trauma, and social marginalization raise concerns for this population and warrant the development of structural and policy-informed interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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