284297
A randomized controlled study to reduce substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors for transgender women of color
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Celia Gomez,
Instituto Familiar de la Raza, San Francisco, CA
Background: Transgender women of color are at high risk for substance abuse and HIV/STIs. Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of substance abuse and HIV risk reduction intervention programs. Method: African American (n=66) and Latina transgender women (n=48) with a history of substance use were recruited through community outreach based on purposive sampling in San Francisco and Oakland. Participants were randomly assigned to Brief Intervention (BI) with one two-hour counseling session, Motivational Enhancement Intervention (MEI) with six two-hour counseling sessions, or a control group. Participants' risk behaviors were assessed at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-ups using a structured questionnaire. Results: Alcohol, marijuana and heroin were the most commonly used substances among the participants. Based on intake and 6-month follow-up data, alcohol use decreased in MEI (80% to 72%) and BI (85% to 64%) groups; however, increased in the control group (85% to 91%). Similar results were also observed for marijuana (MEI: 69% to 65%, BI: 70% to 68%, Control: 66% to 74%) and heroin use (MEI: 8%-4%, BI: 17% to 11%, Control: 6% to 13%). Substance use before having sex decreased among MEI (alcohol: 15% to 5%, drugs: 15% to 0%) and BI (alcohol: 21% to 3%, drugs: 22% to 3%). Conclusion: The MEI and BI programs are effective in reducing substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors for African American and Latina transgender women. The intervention curricula can be disseminated through AIDS service organizations to promote health and well-being for transgender women of color.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify substance use and HIV risk behaviors among African American and Latina transgender women (e.g., sexual risk behaviors and sociocultural factors)
Describe the design the randomized controlled intervention study targeting transgender women of color
Discuss the importance of transgender specific programs to improve health and well-being of transgender women of color
Keyword(s): HIV Risk Behavior, Vulnerable Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Nemoto is Research Program Director at the Public Health Institute and has been engaging in substance abuse and HIV prevention research for underserved and stigmatized populations, such as transgender people, Asian Pacific Islander MSM, drug users and Asian female sex workers. He has also worked with colleagues in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan for substance abuse and HIV prevention research.
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.
