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Recorded presentation

Tooru Nemoto, PhD, Jae Sevelius, PhD, Mary Hsueh, BA, Tei Okamoto, MSTCM Candidate, Toni Moore, Fernanda Valdez, Christina Sanz-Rodriguez, Dion Manley, Sean Saifa Wall, Jennifer Usher, Shawn Taylor, and Angel Manaois. Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 50 Beale St., Suite 1300, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-597-9391, tooru.nemoto@ucsf.edu

Issues: Many male-to-female (MTFTG) and female-to-male transgenders (FTMTG) engage in HIV-related risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, sex work, and unprotected receptive anal sex. HIV sero-prevalence among MTFTG has been the highest among risk groups in San Francisco and elsewhere. Description: From the first phase of TRANS, October 2000, TRANS has provided a safe space for MTFTG, where they can access health promotion workshops, support groups, substance abuse pre-treatment and referral services, and professional counseling. The second phase (from 10/2003) expanded target groups to include FTMTG, gender variant individuals and incarcerated transgenders. Currently, 540 MTFTG and 231 FTMTG have enrolled in TRANS; 70 completed 6 workshops; and 70 enrolled in the pre-treatment. Self-reported HIV prevalence is 25% among MTFTG and 2% among FTMTG. About a third of MTFTG and over half of FTMTG perceived that medical providers were not knowledgeable, nor sensitive to transgender health issues. Lessons learned: Although health educators were from the target communities and have experience in HIV prevention, it took a long time to build rapport with the target groups and facilitate them in participating in TRANS, particularly for FTMTG and gender variant youth. Although the second phase invites diverse groups of transgenders, TRANS is still perceived as not ideal for FTMTG and gender variant youth. Recommendations: HIV prevention programs for transgenders must address the target groups' specific needs. Workshops and support groups must address their life issues, such as hormone use, in relation to substance use and HIV prevention.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand HIV risks specific to subgroups of the broader transgender community (i.e. MTFTG, FTMTG, gender variant youth, and incarcerated transgender individuals).
• Understand issues of access to health care and health promotion specific to each transgender subgroup.
• Apply findings in the development of an HIV prevention program specific to transgender subgroups.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Underserved Populations

Related Web page: www.caps.ucsf.edu/TRANS/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation