Detection of sexually transmitted infections among transvestites and transsexual women in prison in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the seropositivity rate of rapid tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C among transvestites and transgender women (transfeminine persons) inmates in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, analyzing the results based on sociodemographic, prison profile and access to health technologies to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). METHODS: Cross-sectional census-type study carried out with transfeminine in eleven male prisons in Rio de Janeiro, between the months of April and June 2021. RESULTS: The detection rates found were 34.4% for HIV, and 48.9% for syphilis, and 0.8% for type B and C hepatitis. Seropositivity for more than one infection was verified in 25.4% of participants, and HIV/syphilis was the most prevalent. An increase in the level of education (p=0.037) and having a steady partner in prison (p=0.041) were considered protective factors for STIs in this population. Difficulties were identified in accessing STI prevention technologies, such as male condoms, lubricating gel, rapid tests, and prophylactic antiretroviral therapies for HIV. CONCLUSION: HIV and syphilis seropositivity rates were high, but within the profile found in this population in other studies inside or outside prisons. The data found indicates the need to incorporate effective strategies for access to health technologies for the prevention of STIs. The scarcity of scientific publications containing epidemiological data on STIs in the transfeminine prison population limited deeper comparisons of the results obtained in this study.

Detection of sexually transmitted infections among transvestites and transsexual women in prison in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Testagem rápida de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis entre travestis e mulheres transexuais em situação de prisão na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the seropositivity rate of rapid tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C among transvestites and transgender women (transfeminine persons) inmates in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, analyzing the results based on sociodemographic, prison profile and access to health technologies to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods: Cross-sectional census-type study carried out with transfeminine in eleven male prisons in Rio de Janeiro, between the months of April and June 2021. Results: The detection rates found were 34.4% for HIV, and 48.9% for syphilis, and 0.8% for type B and C hepatitis. Seropositivity for more than one infection was verified in 25.4% of participants, and HIV/syphilis was the most prevalent. An increase in the level of education (p=0.037) and having a steady partner in prison (p=0.041) were considered protective factors for STIs in this population. Difficulties were identified in accessing STI prevention technologies, such as male condoms, lubricating gel, rapid tests, and prophylactic antiretroviral therapies for HIV. Conclusion: HIV and syphilis seropositivity rates were high, but within the profile found in this population in other studies inside or outside prisons. The data found indicates the need to incorporate effective strategies for access to health technologies for the prevention of STIs. The scarcity of scientific publications containing epidemiological data on STIs in the transfeminine prison population limited deeper comparisons of the results obtained in this study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa de soropositividade dos testes rápidos para HIV, sífilis e hepatite B e C entre travestis e mulheres transexuais (transfemininas) privadas de liberdade na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, analisando os resultados diante do perfil sociodemográfico, prisional e acesso às tecnologias de saúde para prevenir infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST). Métodos: Estudo transversal do tipo censitário realizado com transfemininas em 11 prisões do Rio de Janeiro, entre os meses de abril e junho de 2021. Resultados: As taxas de soropositividade encontradas foram de 34,4% para o HIV, 48,9% para sífilis e 0,8% para as hepatites do tipo B e C. A soropositividade para mais de uma infecção foi verificada em 25,4% das participantes, e HIV/sífilis foi a mais prevalente. O aumento no nível de escolarização (p=0,037), e possuir parceiro fixo na prisão (p=0,041) foram considerados fatores de proteção para as IST nessa população. Foram identificadas dificuldades no acesso às tecnologias de prevenção contra IST, como preservativo masculino, gel lubrificante, testes rápidos e terapias antirretrovirais profiláticas para o HIV. Conclusão: As taxas de soropositividade para o HIV e sífilis foram elevadas, mas no perfil encontrado nessa população em outros estudos dentro e fora das prisões. Os dados encontrados indicam a necessidade de incorporar estratégias efetivas para o acesso às tecnologias em saúde para a prevenção das IST. A escassez de publicações científicas contendo dados epidemiológicos sobre IST na população transfeminina em situação de prisão limitou a realização de comparações mais profundas dos resultados obtidos neste estudo.