How did the dynamics within the social networks of transgender women in Chicago affect participation in a pilot HIV behavioral survey?

Issues: In the US, transgender persons are considered a ‘hard-to-reach' population. Little evaluation data exists on methodologies that are effective in recruiting transgender women to participate in health survey research. In 2009, a behavioral survey designed to describe HIV risk behaviors and HIV prevention experiences among African-American and Latina transgender women was conducted in Chicago. The recruitment met with moderate success, but was wrought with challenges. In this presentation, we will attempt to elucidate characteristics of transgender social networks that may have contributed to the difficulties faced. Description: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit study participants. Initially, 16 transgender women were enrolled. RDS relies on those ‘seeds' to distribute coupons to transgender women they know. 52 eligible respondents redeemed their coupon, were surveyed, given $25 as a stipend, and up to 3 coupons to distribute. Participants reported knowing a median of 5 other transgender women. No respondents reported being recruited by an acquaintance (a person you know, but do not consider a friend). The majority (56%) reported having an opportunity to recruit other transgender women less often than once per week, and often only within transgender service organizations. Lessons Learned: The social networks of transgender women in Chicago may be small and may not commonly overlap. The data suggests that recruitment was not attempted beyond very close contacts and the opportunities for recruitment may have been limited. Recommendations: Greater understanding of the composition of transgender social networks remains instrumental in reaching this population for research and HIV prevention activities.