Correlates of antiretroviral adherence and viral load among transgender women living with HIV

Abstract

Transgender women are 49 times more likely to become HIV infected than other groups, yet they are drastically underserved by current treatment efforts and report lower rates of treatment adherence then other groups. The objective of this study was to explore correlates of antiretroviral (ART) adherence and viral load among HIV-positive transgender women on ART utilizing a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 59 transgender women. In multivariate models of ART adherence, correlates were age, stress appraisal of transphobic experiences, importance of gender affirmation, and adherence to hormone therapy. In multivariate models of self-reported viral load, correlates were stress appraisal of transphobic experiences and being in a relationship. This study provides preliminary evidence of transgender-relevant correlates of ART adherence and viral load.

Keywords:

• transgender persons
• HIV
• medication adherence
• viral load
• health disparities

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the following individuals for their contributions to this study: Angel Ventura, Jesse Fletcher, Tor Neilands, and the transgender women who contributed their time to participate.

Funding

This project was supported by NIH award numbers [grant number K08MH085566], [grant number K23MH097649], and [grant number K24MH087220]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This project was supported by NIH award numbers [grant number K08MH085566], [grant number K23MH097649], and [grant number K24MH087220]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.