Impact of schooling in the HIV/AIDS prevalence among Brazilian transgender women

Abstract

Objective: Discrimination and bullying are common conditions among LGBT people. During schooling, these practices compromising education. The aim of this study is to evaluate educational attainment among Brazilian transgender women (TW) and how their education level affects the risk of HIV infection. Study design: a cross-sectional population-based study. Subjects and methods: 95 adult TW were selected. Information concerning verbal and physical aggression, school dropout, school years (SY), and educational level were assessed. HIV status was screened using a fourthgeneration immunoassay followed by western blot testing. Results: The mean of SY was 9.1 ± 3.8 ys. The mean age at school dropout was 16.3 ± 3.4 ys old. Verbal aggression was reported by 83%, physical by 48%, and 18% of the TW dropped out school immediately after being physically assaulted. Participants who suffered physical aggression attended school for almost 4 years less than those participants who did not suffer this abuse (OR =-3.96, p < 0.0001). A similar result was found for verbal aggression (OR =-4.35; p < 0.0001). HIV/AIDS prevalence was 18% (n = 17). The mean of SY among HIV/AIDS positive and negative individuals were 6.8 ± 43 versus 9.7 ± 3, respectively (p = 0.004). Lower education was associated with higher frequency of HIV/AIDS among TW and this relationship was sustained after adjustment for injectable drug use and sex work (OR = 0.79, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Among Brazilian TW, lower education level was a risk factor associated with HIV. The reasons for low schooling among TW are multifactorial, but verbal and physical harassment strongly contribute for it.

Prevalence And Particularities Associated With Positive Serology For HIV In Trans Women And Travestis Sex Professionals

“…[19] In addition, the lack of preparation of Primary Health Care to provide quality and humanized care was another point raised by the study. [19] Education is also an in factor fluency, according to data from Batista and collaborators [2020], [20] who demonstrated an average number of school years for HIVpositive trans women up to 2.9 years lower than the same group with negative serology, in a context where transsexuals as a whole already have a high school dropout rate, resulting in fewer years of study.…”

Brief Report: Young Age and Sex Work Are Associated With HIV Seroconversion Among Transgender Women in São Paulo, Brazil

“…There are free public universities; however, they are highly competitive, and a spot is not guaranteed. The study by Batista et al, 4 which found an association between HIV prevalence and lower level of education level, also noted that Brazilian transgender women who experienced physical aggression in school attended school for 4 years fewer than those who did not have such experiences. Low education may be a driver for engaging in sex work among transgender women who face fewer educational and economic opportunities.…”

“…2 Another study inversely associated level of education with higher prevalence of HIV among transgender women in Brazil. 4 These findings suggest the importance of social determinants on HIV acquisition among transgender women, although HIV incidence was not directly measured. Directly observed measures of HIV incidence in longitudinal studies among transgender women are rare worldwide, 5 yet needed to determine the current trajectory of the HIV epidemic, identify causal risk factors of acquiring infection, and prioritize prevention programs such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).…”

Stigma as a barrier and sex work as a protective factor for HIV testing among trans women in Nepal

“…For example, trans women may avoid healthcare settings and HIV testing due to anticipated provider stigma based on prior discriminatory behavior [14]. Structural barriers that reduce access to education may lead to lower HIV knowledge and risk perception, presenting barriers to HIV testing [15,16]. Furthermore, trans women face intersectional discrimination from the interaction between HIV stigma and anti-trans stigma, which together foster unique experiences of oppression that present additional structural barriers to HIV testing [17].…”