178483 Racial differences in HIV risk among transgender women

Monday, October 27, 2008: 11:42 AM

Tooru Nemoto, PhD , Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA
Mariko Iwamoto, MA , Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA
Anne Morris, PhD , Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, CA
Manuella Bakilana , Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Objective: The study described substance use and HIV-related risk behaviors in relation to race/ethnicity among male-to-female transgender women.

Methods: 332 transgender participants (112 African Americans [AAs], 110 Asian and Pacific Islanders [APIs], and 110 Latinas) were recruited in San Francisco during the first wave of sampling. During the second wave, 241 transgender participants (123 AAs in Oakland and 118 Whites in San Francisco) were recruited. A total of 573 transgender women completed a structured individual survey interview.

Results: 30% reported being HIV positive (45% AAs, 25% Latinas, 18% Whites, and 13% APIs). Alcohol (69%) and marijuana (56%) were commonly used in the past 30days, followed by amphetamines (32%). One fourth had used drugs during sex in the past 30 days. Among these, only 30% and 50% reported always using condoms with primary and casual/commercial sex partners, respectively. AAs had more frequently used alcohol, marijuana, and stimulants during sex with a primary partner than other groups. Whites had frequently used alcohol and stimulants during sex with casual partners. Latinas had frequently used stimulants during sex with customers. More AAs had engaged in unsafe sex with casual partners and customers under the influence of substances. About ¼ of the participants had injected drugs and among IDUs, 35% injected in the past 30 days. More Whites had injected drugs and shared needles.

Conclusion: Risk behaviors and high HIV prevalence rates among transgender women were significantly different among racial/ethnic groups. Culturally sensitive health promotion intervention programs for transgender women are urgently needed.

Learning Objectives:
1.Learn about HIV risk and substance abuse behaviors among transgender women. 2.Understand the importance of racial/ethnic differences in risk behaviors. 3.Learn about implications for developing future drug abuse and HIV prevention programs targeting transgender women.

Keywords: Drug Use, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I don't have any conflicts of interest and commercial support
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Racial/Ethnic Differences in Drug Abuse, Treatment Systems, Utilization, & Risk
See more of: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs