High risk and low HIV prevention behaviours in a new generation of young trans women in Brazil

ABSTRACT

Adult trans women in Brazil are highly impacted by HIV, but little is known about risk for young trans women. Our study was conducted to compare the HIV prevalence and correlates of risk for young trans women ages 18–24 years old to adult trans women in Brazil. Trans women were recruited from Rio de Janeiro and Baixada (the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro), Brazil (N = 345). Youth ages 18–24 years of age had significantly greater odds of being HIV negative than adults (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.6, p = 0.0002), but significantly lower odds of having post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) knowledge (OR 0.5, 95% CI:0.3–0.9, p = 0.02) and PrEP awareness (OR 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.8, p = 0.01). Young trans women also had significantly higher odds of using substances (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9, p = 0.02) and condomless anal intercourse with their last three sexual partners (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0, p = 0.03) compared to adults. Already by age 24, one in four trans women in Brazil were infected with HIV pointing to a new generation at high risk of acquiring HIV. HIV prevention interventions are needed to change the healthcare system to reach and engage young trans women.

KEYWORDS:

• Youth
• HIV
• Brazil
• trans women
• transgender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Transcender, the population-based study of transwomen in Rio de Janeiro study was sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health with co-funding from the Brazilian Ministry of Health; Brazilian Ministry of Health, CNPq, Fiocruz, Faperj sponsored the multi-site PrEP Brasil study; Gilead Sciences supported the analysis of medication adherence for PrEP Brasil. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [grant number UM1AI069496]; BrazilianResearchCouncil (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development ) [grant number 470056/2014-2].