Girlfriends: evaluation of an HIV-risk reduction intervention for adult transgender women.
This study evaluated Girlfriends, a behavioral HIV intervention, developed for male-to-female transgender persons, for whom there are few scientifically evaluated prevention programs. The Girlfriends intervention included four group-level sessions. We used a single group, pre-post test design to assess changes in sexual risk behaviors at 3-month follow-up. We enrolled 63 transgender women into the study. Forty-six percent were Hispanic and 35% were African American. Three months after the intervention, participants had fewer sexual partners (p = .043) and were less likely to have any unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with male exchange partners (p = .013) and unprotected sex at last vaginal or anal sex episode with female and male partners (p = .039). The findings of this study are promising. We observed behavioral effects among a largely ethnic minority sample of transgender women. Replication with a larger sample and a control group is needed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Prevention Research Branch, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. RTaylor5@cdc.gov
Raekiela D
RD
Taylor
David S
DS
Bimbi
Heather A
HA
Joseph
Andrew D
AD
Margolis
Jeffrey T
JT
Parsons
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult