Risk factors associated with resistance to HIV testing among transwomen in Brazil.
Transwomen are a high-risk population for HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, many transwomen do not test for HIV. This study aimed to identify factors associated with resistance to HIV testing among transwomen in Fortaleza/CE. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and December 2008 with a sample of 304 transwomen recruited through respondent-driven sampling. Data analysis utilized Respondent-Driven Sampling Analysis Tool and SPSS 11.0. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses examined risk factors associated with resistance to HIV testing. Less than 18 years of age (OR = 4.221; CI = 2.419-7.364), sexual debut before 10 years of age (OR = 6.760; CI = 2.996-15.256), using illegal drugs during sex (OR = 2.384; CI = 1.310-4.339), experience of discrimination (OR = 3.962; CI = 1.540-10.195) and a belief that the test results were not confidential (OR = 3.763; CI = 2.118-6.688) are independently associated with resistance to testing. Intersectoral and targeted strategies aimed at encouraging the adoption of safer sexual behaviors and testing for HIV among transwomen are required.
a Department of Community Health , Federal University of Ceará , Fortaleza , Brazil.
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Pinheiro Júnior
b Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA.
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Kendall
c Ministry of Health of Ceará State , Fortaleza , Brazil.
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Martins
d Department of Statistics and Applied Mathematics , Federal University of Ceará , Fortaleza , Brazil.
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Mota
a Department of Community Health , Federal University of Ceará , Fortaleza , Brazil.
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Macena
b Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA.
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Glick
e Department of Neurology and Psychiatry of São Paulo State University , Botucatu , Brazil.
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Kerr-Correa
a Department of Community Health , Federal University of Ceará , Fortaleza , Brazil.
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Kerr
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D014189:Transsexualism; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
Brazil; HIV testing; HIV/AIDS; RDS; resistance to test; transwomen