Unprotected sexual behavior and HIV risk in the context of primary partnerships for transgender women

AIDS Behav. 2011 Apr;15(3):674-82. doi: 10.1007/s10461-010-9795-8.

Abstract

Previous research has reported that transgender women are likely to be exposed to HIV through unprotected sex with a male primary partner. We examined prevalence and correlates of unprotected sex with a primary male partner in a sample of n = 174 transgender women. Participants completed surveys on demographic characteristics, relationship dynamics with their male primary partner, sexual behavior, substance use, and psychosocial factors. Overall, 41% reported HIV positive status, 13% had another sexually transmitted infection during the past year, and 34% had unprotected sex with a male primary partner during the past 3 months. Factors associated with unprotected sex with a primary partner included living with the partner, drug use, alcohol use, education level, low self-efficacy to use condoms, and perceived discrimination. Notably, 35% of transgender women in HIV-discordant primary partnerships had unprotected sex with their male primary partner during the past 3 months, and 18% of transgender women in HIV-positive concordant primary partnerships had unprotected sex with an outside partner during the past 3 months. HIV prevention interventions for transgender women must address risk behavior in the context of primary partnerships as well as sex with concurrent partners outside the relationship. Couples-focused interventions involving transgender women and their male primary partners can be particularly promising.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • San Francisco / epidemiology
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Transsexualism*
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult