title: A comparison of mental health, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors between rural and non-rural transgender persons.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the mental health, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors of rural and non-rural transgender persons. Online banner advertisements were used to recruit 1,229 self-identified rural and non-rural transgender adults (18+ years) residing in the United States. Primary findings include significant differences in mental health between rural and non-rural transmen; relatively low levels of binge drinking across groups, although high levels of marijuana use; and high levels of unprotected sex among transwomen. The results confirm that mental and physical health services for transgender persons residing in rural areas are urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Epidemiology & Community Health , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota , USA.
authors.forename: Keith J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iantaffi
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swinburne-Romine
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bockting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: online survey; rural; transgender; urban