Substance use and HIV risk behaviors among transgender women


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

4175.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Board 8

Abstract #106159

Tooru Nemoto, PhD¹, Jeanne Sevelius, PhD¹, JoAnne Keatley, MSW², Mary Hsueh¹, Jennifer Usher², Ari Rinzler², Kathryn Steuerman², Andrea Horne², and Shakira Garr². (1) Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of Califonia, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery St., Suite # 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-597-9391, tnemoto@psg.ucsf.edu, (2) Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 1145 Bush Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94109

Background: The first phase of the study described substance use and HIV risk behaviors among transgender women of color in San Francisco based on qualitative and quantitative data. Currently, we expanded the samples to include White transgender women in San Francisco and African American transgender women in Oakland. Based on the focus group data, we describe the sociocultural contexts of substance use and HIV risk behaviors among transgender women.

Methods: The second phase of the study, 4 focus groups (2 for African American women in Oakland and 2 for White women in San Francisco) were conducted. The demographics of 22 African American and 22 White focus group participants are: mean age = 37 for both groups; and 32% of African American and 18% of White participants had less than a high school level education.

Results: Most participants have engaged in sex work because of survival needs and/or alcohol and drug use. Crack use is more often reported by African Americans than Whites. Many Whites reported engaging in sex work, partially to seek affection from men. Most participants reported transphobic and degrading experiences, and insensitivity and lack of knowledge among health care and service providers.

Discussion: Most transgender women in the study reported a history of, or current sex work, and consequent substance abuse. Positive role models and support networks, which encourage and assist transgender women to obtain jobs other than sex work, as well as transgender sensitive substance abuse treatment programs are needed.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to

1. Recognize the social and cultural context of substance use and sex work among transgender women.
2. Gain knowledge about specific issues in substance use and HIV prevention for transgender women.
3. Apply lessons learned in outreach and substance abuse and HIV prevention for transgender women who are at high risk.

Keywords: Sex Workers, Gender

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Injection Drug Use: HIV and Hepatitis Poster Session

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA