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Research Article
Emmanuel Baja
University of the Philippines Manila
Corresponding Author
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This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Transgender individuals are considered as high-risk for contracting HIV infection. Integrating HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services into current transgender health programs is necessary to increase its uptake. Our study aimed to describe the characteristics of trans men (TM) and trans women (TW) who accessed HTC services in a community-based transgender health center in Metro Manila, Philippines, and to examine the relationship between gender identity and their HIV testing preferences.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of TM and TW seeking care from 2017 to 2019. Medical records of clients were reviewed to ascertain their age, gender identity, year and frequency of clinic visits, lifestyle factors, and HIV testing preferences. The effect of gender identity on HIV testing preferences was estimated using a generalized linear model with Poisson distribution, log link function, and a robust variance, adjusted for confounding variables.
Results: Five hundred twenty-five clients were included in the study, of which about four out of five clients declined the HTC services being offered. In addition, the prevalence of non-uptake of HTC services was 48% higher [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR): 1.48; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.31–1.67] among TM compared to TW. Clients who initially consulted in 2017 had a 25% higher prevalence of refusal for HTC services (aPR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08–1.43) than clients who initially consulted in 2019. Approximately 4% and 11% of the TM and TW, respectively, who accessed the HTC services were reactive and linked to antiretroviral therapy treatment.
Conclusion: HTC service uptake of TM and TW is low. HIV program implementers should strategize solutions to reach this vulnerable population for increased and better HTC service uptake and linkage to care.
Keywords
community-based health center, gender identity, HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services, Philippines, trans men (TM), and trans women (TW)
Figure 1
No competing interests reported.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 22 Sep, 2021
No community comments so far
Reviews received
Received 04 Oct, 2021
Reviewers agreed
On 27 Sep, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 24 Sep, 2021
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Editor invited
On 20 Sep, 2021
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On 20 Sep, 2021
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On 14 Sep, 2021
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Public Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Emmanuel Baja
University of the Philippines Manila
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 22 Sep, 2021
No community comments so far
Reviews received
Received 04 Oct, 2021
Reviewers agreed
On 27 Sep, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 24 Sep, 2021
Editor assigned
On 21 Sep, 2021
Editor invited
On 20 Sep, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 20 Sep, 2021
First submitted
On 14 Sep, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Transgender individuals are considered as high-risk for contracting HIV infection. Integrating HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services into current transgender health programs is necessary to increase its uptake. Our study aimed to describe the characteristics of trans men (TM) and trans women (TW) who accessed HTC services in a community-based transgender health center in Metro Manila, Philippines, and to examine the relationship between gender identity and their HIV testing preferences.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of TM and TW seeking care from 2017 to 2019. Medical records of clients were reviewed to ascertain their age, gender identity, year and frequency of clinic visits, lifestyle factors, and HIV testing preferences. The effect of gender identity on HIV testing preferences was estimated using a generalized linear model with Poisson distribution, log link function, and a robust variance, adjusted for confounding variables.
Results: Five hundred twenty-five clients were included in the study, of which about four out of five clients declined the HTC services being offered. In addition, the prevalence of non-uptake of HTC services was 48% higher [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR): 1.48; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.31–1.67] among TM compared to TW. Clients who initially consulted in 2017 had a 25% higher prevalence of refusal for HTC services (aPR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08–1.43) than clients who initially consulted in 2019. Approximately 4% and 11% of the TM and TW, respectively, who accessed the HTC services were reactive and linked to antiretroviral therapy treatment.
Conclusion: HTC service uptake of TM and TW is low. HIV program implementers should strategize solutions to reach this vulnerable population for increased and better HTC service uptake and linkage to care.
Figure 1
No competing interests reported.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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