1. Travestis , an unexplored population at risk of HIV in a large metropolis of northeast Brazil: A respondent-driven sampling survey.
- Author
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Martins, TelmaA., Kerr, Ligia ReginaF.S., Macena, RaimundaH.M., Mota, RosaS., Carneiro, KalinaL., Gondim, RogérioC., and Kendall, Carl
- Subjects
HIV infection risk factors ,SEXUALLY transmitted disease risk factors ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,HOMOSEXUALITY ,INTERVIEWING ,SEX work ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,RESEARCH funding ,RISK-taking behavior ,SOCIAL isolation ,STATISTICS ,SOCIAL stigma ,CITY dwellers ,TRANSGENDER people ,SOCIOECONOMIC factors ,CROSS-sectional method ,DATA analysis software ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Travestisare highly vulnerable to HIV infection in Brazil. We conducted a survey among 304 travestis using Respondent-Driven Sampling from August to December 2008. Travestis are young (49% <24 years), poorly educated (55% just elementary school), low social class (62% Class C-E), reside with families (49%) or friends/madam (22%), are victims of homophobia (91%) and violence (61%). They report early sexual debut (75% <14), many sexual partners, drug use during sex (43%), and unprotected sex (male partner, 47%, both male and female partners, 50%). Sex work is common (82%, 59% >10 partners last six months) and relatively low cost (median=US$24). A majority report testing for HIV (69%), and report high prevalence (12% disclosed a positive result). Almost all the respondents refused to test in the study. Interventions, targeted to both travestis and to the general community about sexual discrimination, are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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