Skip to main content

Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Poteat, T; White, RH; Footer, KHA; Park, JN; Galai, N; Huettner, S; Silberzahn, BE; Allen, ST; Glick, J; Beckham, SW; Gaydos, CA; Sherman, SG
Published in: Sexually transmitted infections
May 2021

Though highly vulnerable to HIV and STIs, transgender female sex workers (TFSWs) are understudied in the US HIV and STI response. This study examined the correlates of laboratory-confirmed STIs among a cohort of 62 TFSWs followed over the course of 1 year and explored associations between specimen site and self-reported engagement in insertive and receptive anal intercourse.Participants completed an interviewer-administered computer-assisted personal interview at baseline, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month visits where self-administered anal swabs and urine samples for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis were also collected. HIV testing was conducted at baseline, 6-month and 12-month visits.Baseline HIV prevalence was 40.3% with no HIV seroconversions over follow-up. Baseline prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis was 9.7%, 17.7% and 14.5%, respectively. In the multivariable regression modelling, recent arrest was significantly associated with testing positive for any STI (adjusted risk ratio (RR) 1.77; 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.84). Insertive anal sex with clients was associated with increased risk of testing positive for an STI via urine specimen (RR 3.48; 95% CI: 1.14 to 10.62), while receptive anal sex was not significantly associated with specimen site.Our findings confirm a high prevalence of STIs among TFSWs and highlight the importance of addressing structural drivers such as criminal justice involvement as well as the need to ensure screening for STIs at all anatomical sites regardless of self-reported sites of potential exposure. More research is needed to better understand HIV and STI vulnerabilities and appropriate interventions for TFSWs in the USA.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Sexually transmitted infections

DOI

EISSN

1472-3263

ISSN

1368-4973

Publication Date

May 2021

Volume

97

Issue

3

Start / End Page

226 / 231

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Unsafe Sex
  • Transgender Persons
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Sex Workers
  • Public Health
  • Prospective Studies
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
  • HIV Infections
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Poteat, T., White, R. H., Footer, K. H. A., Park, J. N., Galai, N., Huettner, S., … Sherman, S. G. (2021). Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 97(3), 226–231. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2019-054414
Poteat, Tonia, Rebecca Hamilton White, Katherine H. A. Footer, Ju Nyeong Park, Noya Galai, Steven Huettner, Brad E. Silberzahn, et al. “Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis.Sexually Transmitted Infections 97, no. 3 (May 2021): 226–31. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2019-054414.
Poteat T, White RH, Footer KHA, Park JN, Galai N, Huettner S, et al. Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis. Sexually transmitted infections. 2021 May;97(3):226–31.
Poteat, Tonia, et al. “Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis.Sexually Transmitted Infections, vol. 97, no. 3, May 2021, pp. 226–31. Epmc, doi:10.1136/sextrans-2019-054414.
Poteat T, White RH, Footer KHA, Park JN, Galai N, Huettner S, Silberzahn BE, Allen ST, Glick J, Beckham SW, Gaydos CA, Sherman SG. Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis. Sexually transmitted infections. 2021 May;97(3):226–231.

Published In

Sexually transmitted infections

DOI

EISSN

1472-3263

ISSN

1368-4973

Publication Date

May 2021

Volume

97

Issue

3

Start / End Page

226 / 231

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Unsafe Sex
  • Transgender Persons
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Sex Workers
  • Public Health
  • Prospective Studies
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
  • HIV Infections