Behavioral and Health Outcomes for HIV+ Young Transgender Women (YTW) Linked To and Engaged in Medical Care

LGBT Health. 2016 Apr;3(2):162-7. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2014.0062. Epub 2015 Mar 11.

Abstract

We describe health and psychosocial outcomes of HIV+ young transgender women (YTW) engaged in care across the United States. When compared to other behaviorally infected youth (BIY), YTW reported higher rates of unemployment (25% vs. 19%), limited educational achievement (42% vs 13%), and suboptimal ART adherence (51% vs. 30%). There was no difference in likelihood of having a detectable viral load (38% vs. 39%) between groups. However, particular isolating psychosocial factors (unstable housing, depression, and lack of social support for attending appointments) increased predicted probability of viral detection to a greater extent among YTW that may have important health implications for this marginalized youth population.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; LGBT youth; access to care; gender identity; transgender.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Achievement
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / therapy*
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence / psychology
  • Medication Adherence / statistics & numerical data
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Support
  • Transgender Persons* / psychology
  • Transsexualism / epidemiology
  • Transsexualism / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Unemployment
  • United States
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents