The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65024

Jan Risser, PhD¹, Andrea Shelton, PhD¹, Mark Williams, PhD¹, Sheryl McCurdy, PhD¹, Brenda Thomas², Paige Padgett¹, Bernardo Useche, PhD¹, John Atkinson¹, and Zita Cox Larry². (1) Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, RAS E 703, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9359, jrisser@sph.uth.tmc.edu, (2) Houston Department of Health and Human Services, 8000 N Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77054

Purpose: We conducted a behavioral risk factor survey of the transgender population in Houston, Texas during January, 2003. Methods: We completed surveys with 67 male-to-female transgender individuals. Subjects were recruited from local bars, transgender support groups, and a transgender homeless shelter. Results: Of those interviewed: 94% selff-identified as female or male to female transgender; 49% were heterosexual, 26% bisexual, 15% gay, and 11% lesbian; 30% were African American, 46% Anglo, 19% Hispanic, and 1.5% American Indian. Although 92% had been tested for HIV, 84% of those tested sought their results, and 27% who knew their results were HIV infected. Among those with a primary partner in the last year: 70% of never used a condom during oral sex, and 33% never used a condom during and 80% used alcohol or drugs in conjunction with sex. Nearly half of those surveyed had sex with a casual partner in the last 12 months, and half of those had more than 5 different casual partners. A third of those with casual partners never used condoms during anal sex with a casual partner. Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV infection is high in the sample we surveyed. Nearly 16% of the sample did not know their HIV status, and among those who knew their HIV test results, 27% were infected. Many reported risky sexual behaviors. If the public health goal is to reduce the incidence of HIV, then prevention programs need to be developed that directly address the needs of the transgender population.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe HIV testing behavior among MtF transgenders.
• Describe risky sexual behaviors among MtF transgenders.
• Identify HIV prevention topics among MtF transgenders.

Keywords: Behavioral Research, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.