An recently published article of a study among transgender in Chennai, Tamil Nadu - Saravanamurthy

[Guest guest]

Dear Editor, AIDS INDIA,

I am attaching an abstract (in addition i have pasted below) of the recently

published article based on the findings of a study titled Cross-sectional study

on sexual practices, STIs and HIV among transgender people in Chennai, Tamil

Nadu, India.

 

As the PI of the study and as first author of the article published in American

Medical Journal I would like circulate the abstract for reaching wider

community. I would like your help in circulating the attached abstract through

AIDS-India forum.

For reprints, queries and clarifications members of AIDS-India forum can reach

me at  pssaravanamurthy@... .

 

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

-

P.S. Saravanamurthy (Ph.D)

Research, Documentation and Training Consultant

Contact Address: M. Block, No.10, Agathiyar Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai -

600049, Tamil Nadu, India.

Telephone: 91-44-26181325

Mobile: 91-9841001638

Email: pssaravanamurthy@...

skype: saravanamurthy

____________________________________

A Cross-sectional Study of Sexual Practices, Sexually Transmitted Infections and

Human Immunodeficiency Virus among Male-to-Female Transgender People

 

Abstract

 

Problem statement: Designing HIV interventions requires evidence on links

between behaviors and elevated transmission risk that remains scanty for

male-to-female Transgender (TG) people in India.

 

Approach: In 2007, we carried out a cross-sectional study through convenience

sampling of 131 TG aged > 18years, residing in Chennai at least prior to six

months of the study. Sexual practices and perception towards STIs and HIV were

identified through structured interviews. HIV and STIs were diagnosed from blood

and urine samples. Associations among sexual practices, HIV/STI and alcohol use

were analyzed using contingency tables.

 

Results: The study participants had a mean age of sexual debut of 12.86 years.

From the sample, 91% reported involvement with casual, paid and/or long-term sex

partners at the time of the study and reported having anal sex in similar

proportions across all three types of partners. More individuals failed to use

condoms with long-term partners (44%) than with casual (17%) or paid (9%)

partners.

Alcohol use was more strongly associated with multiple casual and paid partners

than with exclusive long-term partners (p<0.05). About 29% reported sex under

the influence of alcohol. 72% were diagnosed with least one STI, with viral STIs

ranging from 8-48 and 18% diagnosed with HIV. HIV-positive individuals could not

be statistically distinguished from HIV-negative individuals on the basis of

anal and oral sex, presence/absence of STI, inconsistent condom use or sex under

the influence of alcohol.

 

Conclusion/Recommendations: Given the extensive literature on associations

between inconsistent condom use, unprotected anal sex, alcohol and HIV risk, the

lack of difference between HIV-positive and negative individuals with respect to

behaviors suggests that the entire sample represents a group needing primary or

secondary prevention intervention. Partner reduction, consistent condom usage

and sex under the influence of alcohol are areas for further research and

program interventions among TG in Chennai, India.