title: [Sexually transmitted infections among transgender individuals and other sexual identities].
abstract: Few data are available regarding the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV-1 infection, and risk behaviors of transgender individuals. Previous reports indicate that this community has a high prevalence of HIV and STIs. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of HIV-1 infection, STI and risk behaviors of transgender people versus non transgender people. We used a cross sectional design study. Patients who received services at our testing site between November 2002 and April 2006, and provided written informed consent, were included in the analysis. Socio-demographic data, sexual behaviour, recreational drug use, condom use, concurrent or previous STI and HIV-1 infection diagnosis and partner serologic status, were collected. We used descriptive statistics and chi 2 for comparisons of proportions. In the period of the study, 105 transgender individuals were identified in a population of 4118 patients tested. The prevalence of HIV infection in the transgender group was 27.6% (29/105), while in the non transgender group was 6.2% (247/4013) p:0.0000. Low level of formal instruction, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, previous history of STI and sex work (100% transgenders and 2.3% of non-transgenders) were significantly more frequent in the transgender. The referred correct use of condom was similar in both groups. The prevalence of syphilis was 42.3% in transgender group and 18.1% in non-transgender individuals. These data show that this population has a very high prevalence of HIV-1 and STI. This information could be instrumental to design targets for intensive HIV prevention strategies in this particular high risk population.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Inmunocomprometidos, Hospital General de Agudos J.M. Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina. jtoibaro@hivramos.org.ar
authors.forename: Javier J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Toibaro
authors.forename: Juan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ebensrtejin
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parlante
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burgoa
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freyre
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Marcelo H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Losso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult