Transgender HIV and sexually transmissible infections
Anna McNulty A C E and Chris Bourne A B D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Sydney Sexual Health Centre, GPO 1614, Sydney, Australia.
B NSW STI Programs Unit, GPO 1614, Sydney, Australia.
C School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of NSW, Kensington, Australia.
D Kirby Institute, University of NSW, Kensington, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: Anna.Mcnulty@health.nsw.gov.au
Sexual Health 14(5) 451-455 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH17050
Submitted: 8 March 2017 Accepted: 21 June 2017 Published: 25 August 2017
Abstract
Transgender women across a range of different populations and settings have a high prevalence of HIV infection. There are fewer and often poorer quality studies of sexually transmissible infection (STI) prevalence. There are fewer studies in transgender men and, in general, the prevalence of HIV and STIs is lower than that of transgender women. Susceptibility to HIV and STI infection is inextricably linked to the increased vulnerability of transgender populations, a consequence of a lack of legal and social recognition that results in reduced access to educational and employment opportunities, which can result in high rates of transactional sex. Other measures of disadvantage, such as substance abuse and mental health problems, also increase the risk of HIV and STIs and have an effect on access to health care, highlighting the need for transgender-friendly multidisciplinary services offering individualised risk assessment, prevention advice and testing for STI and HIV.
Additional keywords: transwoman, transman.
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