Characteristics of Transgender Residents of Massachusetts Cities With High HIV Prevalence

Am J Public Health. 2015 Dec;105(12):e14-8. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302877. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Abstract

Geographic context can influence individual risk in populations disproportionately susceptible to HIV infection, such as transgender people. We examined factors associated with residing in Massachusetts cities with the highest HIV prevalence (geographic "hotspots") in a 2013 sample of 433 transgender adults who were not infected with HIV. Residing in hotspots was associated with older age, non-White race/ethnicity, low income, incarceration history, polydrug use, smoking, binge drinking, and condomless receptive anal sex during one's most recent sexual encounter with a partner who was assigned male sex at birth. Future research to understand the interpersonal and socio-structural factors that drive localized epidemics among transgender people is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Binge Drinking / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • Humans
  • Income / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Massachusetts / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Transgender Persons / statistics & numerical data*