Skip to main content
Top
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 12/2017

01-12-2017 | Original Paper

HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors in Male to Female (MTF) Transgender Persons in Tijuana, Mexico

Authors: Kristian Jesús Salas-Espinoza, Rufino Menchaca-Diaz, Thomas L. Patterson, Lianne A. Urada, Davey Smith, Steffanie A. Strathdee, Eileen V. Pitpitan

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 12/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Compared to HIV research on men who have sex with men, less is known about the risks and vulnerabilities for HIV among Male to Female (MTF) transgender persons, particularly in different geographic regions like Mexico. In Tijuana, Mexico, a border city experiencing a dynamic HIV epidemic, no precedent data exists on the MTF transgender population. Our aims were to estimate HIV prevalence and examine the behaviors and characteristics of the population. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 MTF transgender persons recruited through time location sampling in 2012. Participants underwent interviewer-administered (paper and pen) surveys and rapid tests for HIV. Descriptive univariate analyses were conducted on various factors, including sociodemographics, substance use, accessing social services (requested vs. received), stigma, and sex behaviors. A total of 22% tested positive for HIV, a prevalence higher than other key populations at risk for HIV in Tijuana.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Simon PA, Reback CJ, Bemis CC. HIV prevalence and incidence among male-to-female transsexuals receiving HIV prevention services in Los Angeles County. AIDS Lond Engl. 2000;14(18):2953–5.CrossRef Simon PA, Reback CJ, Bemis CC. HIV prevalence and incidence among male-to-female transsexuals receiving HIV prevention services in Los Angeles County. AIDS Lond Engl. 2000;14(18):2953–5.CrossRef
2.
3.
go back to reference Infante C, Sosa-Rubi SG, Cuadra SM. Sex work in Mexico: vulnerability of male, travesti, transgender and transsexual sex workers. Cult Health Sex. 2009;11(2):125–37.CrossRefPubMed Infante C, Sosa-Rubi SG, Cuadra SM. Sex work in Mexico: vulnerability of male, travesti, transgender and transsexual sex workers. Cult Health Sex. 2009;11(2):125–37.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Bockting WO, Robinson BE, Forberg J, Scheltema K. Evaluation of a sexual health approach to reducing HIV/STD risk in the transgender community. AIDS Care. 2005;17(3):289–303.CrossRefPubMed Bockting WO, Robinson BE, Forberg J, Scheltema K. Evaluation of a sexual health approach to reducing HIV/STD risk in the transgender community. AIDS Care. 2005;17(3):289–303.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Ryan C, Russell ST, Huebner D, Diaz R, Sanchez J. Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs Off Publ Assoc Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurses Inc. 2010;23(4):205–13.CrossRef Ryan C, Russell ST, Huebner D, Diaz R, Sanchez J. Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs Off Publ Assoc Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurses Inc. 2010;23(4):205–13.CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Guzman R, Katz M. HIV prevalence, risk behaviors, health care use, and mental health status of transgender persons: implications for public health intervention. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(6):915–21.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Guzman R, Katz M. HIV prevalence, risk behaviors, health care use, and mental health status of transgender persons: implications for public health intervention. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(6):915–21.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
9.
go back to reference Colchero MA, Cortés-Ortiz MA, Romero-Martínez M, Vega H, González A, Román R, et al. HIV prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual behaviors among transwomen in Mexico City. Salud Pública México. 2015;57:s99–106.CrossRef Colchero MA, Cortés-Ortiz MA, Romero-Martínez M, Vega H, González A, Román R, et al. HIV prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual behaviors among transwomen in Mexico City. Salud Pública México. 2015;57:s99–106.CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Bockting WO, Robinson BE, Rosser BR. Transgender HIV prevention: a qualitative needs assessment. AIDS Care. 1998;10(4):505–25.CrossRefPubMed Bockting WO, Robinson BE, Rosser BR. Transgender HIV prevention: a qualitative needs assessment. AIDS Care. 1998;10(4):505–25.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Singer M. Introduction to syndemics: a critical systems approach to public and community health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub; 2009. Singer M. Introduction to syndemics: a critical systems approach to public and community health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub; 2009.
12.
go back to reference Stall R, Mills TC, Williamson J, Hart T, Greenwood G, Paul J, et al. Association of co-occurring psychosocial health problems and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among urban men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(6):939–42.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Stall R, Mills TC, Williamson J, Hart T, Greenwood G, Paul J, et al. Association of co-occurring psychosocial health problems and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among urban men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(6):939–42.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
go back to reference Pitpitan EV, Smith LR, Goodman-Meza D, Torres K, Semple SJ, Strathdee SA, et al. “‘Outness’”as a moderator of the association between syndemic conditions and HIV risk-taking behavior among men who have sex with men in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Behav. 2016;20(2):431–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Pitpitan EV, Smith LR, Goodman-Meza D, Torres K, Semple SJ, Strathdee SA, et al. “‘Outness’”as a moderator of the association between syndemic conditions and HIV risk-taking behavior among men who have sex with men in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Behav. 2016;20(2):431–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference Golub SA, Gamarel KE. The impact of anticipated HIV stigma on delays in HIV testing behaviors: findings from a community-based sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in New York City. AIDS Patient Care STDs. 2013;27(11):621–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Golub SA, Gamarel KE. The impact of anticipated HIV stigma on delays in HIV testing behaviors: findings from a community-based sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in New York City. AIDS Patient Care STDs. 2013;27(11):621–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference Ruiz J, Facer M, Ritieni A, Sheppard H. HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among young latino MSM in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico. In: XIV International AIDS Conference; 2002. Ruiz J, Facer M, Ritieni A, Sheppard H. HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among young latino MSM in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico. In: XIV International AIDS Conference; 2002.
16.
go back to reference Magis-Rodríguez C, Brouwer KC, Morales S, Gayet C, Lozada R, Ortiz-Mondragón R, et al. HIV prevalence and correlates of receptive needle sharing among injection drug users in the Mexican-US border city of Tijuana. J Psychoact Drugs. 2005;37(3):333–9.CrossRef Magis-Rodríguez C, Brouwer KC, Morales S, Gayet C, Lozada R, Ortiz-Mondragón R, et al. HIV prevalence and correlates of receptive needle sharing among injection drug users in the Mexican-US border city of Tijuana. J Psychoact Drugs. 2005;37(3):333–9.CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Brouwer KC, Strathdee SA, Magis-Rodríguez C, Bravo-García E, Gayet C, Patterson TL, et al. Estimated numbers of men and women infected with HIV/AIDS in Tijuana, Mexico. J Urban Health Bull N Y Acad Med. 2006;83(2):299–307.CrossRef Brouwer KC, Strathdee SA, Magis-Rodríguez C, Bravo-García E, Gayet C, Patterson TL, et al. Estimated numbers of men and women infected with HIV/AIDS in Tijuana, Mexico. J Urban Health Bull N Y Acad Med. 2006;83(2):299–307.CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Patterson TL, Goldenberg S, Gallardo M, Lozada R, Semple SJ, Orozovich P, et al. Correlates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and associated high-risk behaviors among male clients of female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Lond Engl. 2009;23(13):1765–71.CrossRef Patterson TL, Goldenberg S, Gallardo M, Lozada R, Semple SJ, Orozovich P, et al. Correlates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and associated high-risk behaviors among male clients of female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Lond Engl. 2009;23(13):1765–71.CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Pitpitan EV, Goodman-Meza D, Burgos JL, Abramovitz D, Chavarin CV, Torres K, et al. Prevalence and correlates of HIV among men who have sex with men in Tijuana, Mexico. J Int AIDS Soc. 2015;18(1):19304.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Pitpitan EV, Goodman-Meza D, Burgos JL, Abramovitz D, Chavarin CV, Torres K, et al. Prevalence and correlates of HIV among men who have sex with men in Tijuana, Mexico. J Int AIDS Soc. 2015;18(1):19304.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
20.
go back to reference Kenagy GP, Hsieh C-M. The risk less known: female-to-male transgender persons’ vulnerability to HIV infection. AIDS Care. 2005;17(2):195–207.CrossRefPubMed Kenagy GP, Hsieh C-M. The risk less known: female-to-male transgender persons’ vulnerability to HIV infection. AIDS Care. 2005;17(2):195–207.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Nemoto T, Bödeker B, Iwamoto M. Social support, exposure to violence and transphobia, and correlates of depression among male-to-female transgender women with a history of sex work. Am J Public Health. 2011;101(10):1980–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Nemoto T, Bödeker B, Iwamoto M. Social support, exposure to violence and transphobia, and correlates of depression among male-to-female transgender women with a history of sex work. Am J Public Health. 2011;101(10):1980–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
23.
go back to reference Neilands TB, Steward WT, Choi K-H. Assessment of stigma towards homosexuality in China: a study of men who have sex with men. Arch Sex Behav. 2008;37(5):838.CrossRefPubMed Neilands TB, Steward WT, Choi K-H. Assessment of stigma towards homosexuality in China: a study of men who have sex with men. Arch Sex Behav. 2008;37(5):838.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Herbst JH, Jacobs ED, Finlayson TJ, McKleroy VS, Neumann MS, Crepaz N, et al. Estimating HIV prevalence and risk behaviors of transgender persons in the United States: a systematic review. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(1):1–17.CrossRefPubMed Herbst JH, Jacobs ED, Finlayson TJ, McKleroy VS, Neumann MS, Crepaz N, et al. Estimating HIV prevalence and risk behaviors of transgender persons in the United States: a systematic review. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(1):1–17.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Link BG, Phelan JC. Conceptualizing Stigma. Annu Rev Sociol. 2001;1(27):363–85.CrossRef Link BG, Phelan JC. Conceptualizing Stigma. Annu Rev Sociol. 2001;1(27):363–85.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Operario D, Nemoto T, Iwamoto M, Moore T. Unprotected sexual behavior and HIV risk in the context of primary partnerships for transgender women. AIDS Behav. 2011;15(3):674–82.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Operario D, Nemoto T, Iwamoto M, Moore T. Unprotected sexual behavior and HIV risk in the context of primary partnerships for transgender women. AIDS Behav. 2011;15(3):674–82.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
27.
go back to reference Coan DL, Schrager W, Packer T. The role of male sexual partners in HIV infection among male-to-female transgendered individuals. Int J Transgenderism. 2005;8(2–3):21–30.CrossRef Coan DL, Schrager W, Packer T. The role of male sexual partners in HIV infection among male-to-female transgendered individuals. Int J Transgenderism. 2005;8(2–3):21–30.CrossRef
28.
go back to reference Wiessing LG, van Roosmalen MS, Koedijk P, Bieleman B, Houweling H. Silicones, hormones and HIV in transgender street prostitutes. AIDS Lond Engl. 1999;13(16):2315–6.CrossRef Wiessing LG, van Roosmalen MS, Koedijk P, Bieleman B, Houweling H. Silicones, hormones and HIV in transgender street prostitutes. AIDS Lond Engl. 1999;13(16):2315–6.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Iñiguez-Stevens E, Brouwer KC, Hogg RS, Patterson TL, Lozada R, Magis-Rodriguez C, et al. Estimaciones de Prevalencia del VIH por Género y Grupo de Riesgo en Tijuana, México: 2006. Gac Med Mex. 2009;145(3):189–95.PubMedPubMedCentral Iñiguez-Stevens E, Brouwer KC, Hogg RS, Patterson TL, Lozada R, Magis-Rodriguez C, et al. Estimaciones de Prevalencia del VIH por Género y Grupo de Riesgo en Tijuana, México: 2006. Gac Med Mex. 2009;145(3):189–95.PubMedPubMedCentral
30.
go back to reference Patterson TL, Semple SJ, Staines H, Lozada R, Orozovich P, Bucardo J, et al. Prevalence and correlates of HIV infection among female sex workers in two Mexico-U.S. border cities. J Infect Dis. 2008;197(5):728–32.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Patterson TL, Semple SJ, Staines H, Lozada R, Orozovich P, Bucardo J, et al. Prevalence and correlates of HIV infection among female sex workers in two Mexico-U.S. border cities. J Infect Dis. 2008;197(5):728–32.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
31.
go back to reference Setia MS, Lindan C, Jerajani HR, Kumta S, Ekstrand M, Mathur M, et al. Men who have sex with men and transgenders in Mumbai, India: an emerging risk group for STIs and HIV. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2006;72(6):425–31.CrossRefPubMed Setia MS, Lindan C, Jerajani HR, Kumta S, Ekstrand M, Mathur M, et al. Men who have sex with men and transgenders in Mumbai, India: an emerging risk group for STIs and HIV. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2006;72(6):425–31.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Hughes TL, Eliason M. Substance use and abuse in Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and transgender populations. J Prim Prev. 2002;22(3):263–98.CrossRef Hughes TL, Eliason M. Substance use and abuse in Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and transgender populations. J Prim Prev. 2002;22(3):263–98.CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Ramirez-Valles J, Garcia D, Campbell RT, Diaz RM, Heckathorn DD. HIV infection, sexual risk behavior, and substance use among Latino Gay and bisexual men and transgender persons. Am J Public Health. 2008;98(6):1036–42.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ramirez-Valles J, Garcia D, Campbell RT, Diaz RM, Heckathorn DD. HIV infection, sexual risk behavior, and substance use among Latino Gay and bisexual men and transgender persons. Am J Public Health. 2008;98(6):1036–42.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
34.
go back to reference Lombardi EL, van Servellen G. Building culturally sensitive substance use prevention and treatment programs for transgendered populations. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2000;19(3):291–6.CrossRefPubMed Lombardi EL, van Servellen G. Building culturally sensitive substance use prevention and treatment programs for transgendered populations. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2000;19(3):291–6.CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Weatherby NL, Needle R, Cesari H, Booth R, McCoy CB, Watters JK, et al. Validity of self-reported drug use among injection drug users and crack cocaine users recruited through street outreach. Eval Program Plan. 1994;17(4):347–55.CrossRef Weatherby NL, Needle R, Cesari H, Booth R, McCoy CB, Watters JK, et al. Validity of self-reported drug use among injection drug users and crack cocaine users recruited through street outreach. Eval Program Plan. 1994;17(4):347–55.CrossRef
36.
go back to reference James NJ, Bignell CJ, Gillies PA. The reliability of self-reported sexual behaviour. Aids. 1991;5(3):333–6.CrossRefPubMed James NJ, Bignell CJ, Gillies PA. The reliability of self-reported sexual behaviour. Aids. 1991;5(3):333–6.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors in Male to Female (MTF) Transgender Persons in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors
Kristian Jesús Salas-Espinoza
Rufino Menchaca-Diaz
Thomas L. Patterson
Lianne A. Urada
Davey Smith
Steffanie A. Strathdee
Eileen V. Pitpitan
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 12/2017
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1931-2

Other articles of this Issue 12/2017

AIDS and Behavior 12/2017 Go to the issue
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discuss last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.