The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63604

Eiko Sugano, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, 415-377-5521, esugano@uclink.berkeley.edu, Tooru Nemoto, PhD, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of Califonia, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery St. Suite #200, San Francisco, CA 94105, and Don Operario, PhD, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94105.

Transgendered individuals have the highest HIV infection rate in San Francisco. Previous studies have reported high prevalences of HIV risk behaviors among this population compared to other high-risk populations. Recently, studies examining the influence of social discrimination on health have emerged. Using a cross-sectional survey, we examined the impact of transphobia experience during adolescence and adulthood on two HIV risk behaviors—unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) and injection drug use (IDU)—on a sample of 292 male-to-female transgenders of color in the San Francisco Bay Area. Thirty-one percent of respondents were African American, 36% were Latina, and 33% were Asian or Pacific Islander. Twenty-seven percent of transgenders reported an HIV-positive status, and 25 percent had engaged in URAI at least once in the past 30 days. Increased transphobia experience during adolescence was predictive of engaging in URAI but not in IDU (in the past 30 days). Our study contributes to the existing literature that suggests placing more focus on transgenders’ perception and internalization of their early experiences with social discrimination in determining risk for HIV infection and in the planning of HIV prevention programs tailored to fit the needs of this hidden population.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Become aware of the concept transphobia, it's theoretical similarities and differences with homophobia.
  7. Understand the health and psychological sequelae of experiencing transphobia among male-to-female transgenders.
  11. Consider the societal underpinnings of health outcomes such as HIV and drug use, and the roles that health and public policy can take in reducing
  12. these health disparities.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.