141st APHA Annual Meeting

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287777
Process of becoming: A health needs assessment of the transgender community in miami, Florida

Monday, November 4, 2013

Gladys Ibanez, PhD , Behavioral Science Research Institute, Coral Gables, FL
Aryah Lester , Trans-Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Nadia Zebouni, M.A. , Behavioral Science Research Institute, Coral Gables, FL
Kira Villamizar , Florida Health Miami-Dade County, Miami, FL
Robert Ladner , Behavioral Science Research Institute, Coral Gables, FL
Recent findings about HIV among transgender populations have found HIV seroprevalence rates ranging from 27.7% to more than 50% for African-American transgenders, as well as high rates of unprotected anal intercourse, multiple partners, and sex work (Herbst, 2008;DiSantis, 2009). Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Enhanced Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan (ECHPP), the Miami-Dade County Health Department and the Prevention Committee under the HIV/AIDS Partnership approved the creation of a Transgender Workgroup. The main purpose of the workgroup was to conduct a community needs assessment via listening sessions to learn more about the healthcare needs of the Miami transgender community. Five groups (n = 49) were conducted with various segments of the Miami transgender community. Youth, African-Americans, Latino groups all participated and ages ranged from 15 to 55 years. Gender and sexual orientation also varied widely. Most (69.7%) had been tested for HIV and 11.1% reported an HIV-positive status. Almost 16% didn't know their HIV status. Group discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed, and translated (Spanish) if needed. Using NVivo qualitative analysis software from a grounded theory framework, all data were analyzed for themes. Emergent themes included healthcare needs, discrimination, barriers to care, and identity issues facing the transgender community. Participants conveyed a lack of primary healthcare services as well as trans-specific care. Barriers to care included discrimination from both employers and providers. Identity issues were also discussed. Participants suggested that a drop-in center and a mentorship program targeting transgenders were needed. Themes and quotes will be presented.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify the healthcare needs of the transgender community in Miami, Florida.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over 10 years of HIV and substance use research experience. I am currently a PI on an a federally funded grant and have been a co-investigator on several federally funded projects. My interest is in HIV prevention among communities of color.
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.

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