HIV Testing and Preexposure Prophylaxis Prescriptions Among U.S. Commercially Insured Transgender Men and Women, 2014 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Transgender persons are disproportionately affected by HIV, but preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use has been low in this population. Clinical encounters for gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) provide opportunities for HIV prevention. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of commercially insured transgender women (TGW) and transgender men (TGM) in the United States and their use of HIV prevention services. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of secondary data. SETTING: Merative MarketScan commercial databases from 2014 to 2021. PARTICIPANTS: TGW and TGM, defined as those with transgender-related diagnoses and prescriptions for feminizing or masculinizing GAHT. MEASUREMENTS: HIV testing and PrEP use. RESULTS: A substantially increasing trend was observed in the prevalence of transgender-related diagnosis codes from 2014 to 2021 and in the proportion of persons who used GAHT. The increases were driven by persons aged 18 to 34 years. In 2021, among 10 613 TGW with a test for or a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the previous 12 months, 61.1% had an HIV test; among those, 20.2% were prescribed PrEP. Among 4184 TGM with STI risk, 48.3% had an HIV test; among those, 10.2% were prescribed PrEP. The prevalence of TGW and TGM who had a test for or a diagnosis of an STI, had an HIV test, and were prescribed PrEP increased substantially from 2014 to 2021. LIMITATION: The findings represent only persons with commercial health insurance who sought health care services for GAHT. CONCLUSION: It is important to identify transgender persons to monitor their receipt of HIV prevention services. Encounters for GAHT provide opportunities to offer HIV prevention and other prevention services. Many HIV prevention opportunities were likely missed at clinical encounters for GAHT. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.

Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Transgender Women With and Without HIV in the Eastern and Southern United States.

BACKGROUND: Data on the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among transgender women (TGW) with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are limited. METHODS: We analyzed baseline data collected from a cohort of adult TGW across 6 eastern and southern US cities between March 2018 and August 2020 (n = 1018). Participants completed oral HIV screening, provided self-collected rectal and urogenital specimens for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, and provided sera specimens for syphilis testing. We assessed associations with ≥1 prevalent bacterial STI using modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: Bacterial STI prevalence was high and differed by HIV status: 32% among TGW with HIV and 11% among those without HIV (demographic-adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.91; 95% confidence interval = 1.39-2.62). Among TGW without HIV, bacterial STI prevalence differed by geographic region, race and ethnicity, and gender identity, and was positively associated with reporting >1 sexual partner, hazardous alcohol use, homelessness, having safety concerns regarding transit to health care, and no prior receipt of gender-affirming health services. Among TGW with HIV, older age was inversely associated with bacterial STI. CONCLUSIONS: TGW had a high prevalence of bacterial STIs. The prevalence and correlates of bacterial STI differed by HIV status, highlighting the unique needs and risks of TGW with and without HIV. Tailored interventions may reduce sexual health-related inequities.

Hepatitis C Virus Reinfection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men With HIV in New York City.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection rates are substantially higher than primary infection rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in European cohorts. The behaviors mediating this high rate of transmission among MSM are poorly characterized. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study in New York City (NYC) of MSM with HIV who cleared HCV to determine the incidence of and risk factors for HCV reinfection. We assessed the risk behaviors for primary HCV in NYC: receipt of semen in the rectum, and sexualized methamphetamine use, along with route of use. Multivariable analysis was performed with Andersen-Gill extension of the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: From 2000 through 2018, among 304 MSM with HIV who cleared HCV, 42 reinfections occurred over 898 person-years, for an incidence rate of 4.7 per 100 person-years. Assessing 1245 postclearance visits, only receipt of semen into the rectum was associated with reinfection (hazard ratio, 9.7 [95% confidence interval: 3.3-28.3], P < .001); methamphetamine use was not. CONCLUSIONS: The high HCV reinfection rate over almost 2 decades demonstrates that sexual transmission of HCV is not inefficient or unusual and that direct-acting antiviral treatment is not sufficient for HCV elimination among MSM in NYC. The contrasts between both the rates of and risk factors for primary and HCV reinfection suggest that HCV prevalence is highly heterogenous among sexual networks and that sexualized methamphetamine use, rather than mediating transmission, is instead a surrogate marker for the highest HCV prevalence networks. As neither condoms nor treatment have been successful strategies for HCV prevention in NYC, novel interventions are needed to stem this sexually transmitted HCV epidemic.

To Improve Motivational Barriers to Retention in High Resolution Anoscopy, Patients and Providers Recommend Social and Environmental Changes: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Pilot Study in a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) in high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) programs jeopardizes the procedure's potential to help prevent anal cancer. We explored quality improvement factors to understand how to address this LTFU. Using the transtheoretical COM-B Model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior) and a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, we surveyed and interviewed 13 patients who remained engaged in HIV care but who delayed their HRA monitoring or treatment visits in the same community clinic, and 6 HRA clinicians and medical assistants. Analyses involved descriptive statistics and rapid qualitative analysis. Patients were racially, ethnically, and economically representative of the LTFU population, and were generally experienced with HRA (Mean HRA visits = 4.6, SD = 2.8, mdn = 3). Providers were experienced clinicians and medical assistants (Mean years providing HRA = 6.0, SD = 2.2). Analyses revealed two primary, related barriers: (A) motivational barriers such as physical pain, discomfort, embarrassment, and anxiety; which were largely borne from (B) opportunity barriers such as difficulties with scheduling, inconsistent after-care (particularly for pain and discomfort), anxiety-inducing exam rooms and equipment, and internalized and anticipated stigma. Capability barriers, such as limited health literacy about HRA, were less common and, like motivational barriers, linked to opportunity barriers. Participants recommended potential facilitators, including easier scheduling, standardization of pain management and after-care services, and examination room modifications to reduce anxiety. To retain HRA patients in community settings, interventions should address social and physical opportunity barriers that strongly determine motivational and capability barriers. Improving convenience, standardizing pain management, and introducing stigma interventions specific to HRA, could alleviate both motivational and capability barriers.

RESUMEN: La pérdida de seguimiento (LTFU) en los programas de anoscopia de alta resolución (HRA) pone en peligro el potencial del procedimiento para ayudar a prevenir el cáncer anal. Exploramos factores de mejora de la calidad para comprender cómo abordar este LTFU. Utilizando el modelo COM-B transteórico (Capacidad, Oportunidad, Motivación y Comportamiento) y un diseño de métodos mixtos explicativos secuenciales, encuestamos y entrevistamos a 13 pacientes que permanecieron involucrados en la atención del VIH pero que retrasaron sus visitas de seguimiento o tratamiento de la HRA en la misma clínica comunitaria y 6 médicos y asistentes médicos de la HRA. Los análisis involucraron estadísticas descriptivas y análisis cualitativo rápido. Los pacientes eran representativos de la población LTFU en cuanto a raza, etnia, y estatus económico. En general, tenían experiencia con HRA (visitas HRA media = 4,6, DE = 2,8, mdn = 3). Los proveedores eran médicos y asistentes médicos con experiencia (promedio de años proporcionando HRA = 6,0, DE = 2,2). Los análisis revelaron dos barreras principales relacionadas: (A) barreras motivacionales como el dolor físico, la incomodidad, la vergüenza y la ansiedad; que se debieron en gran medida a (B) barreras de oportunidad, como dificultades con la programación, cuidados posteriores inconsistentes (particularmente para el dolor y el malestar), salas de examen y equipos que inducen ansiedad, y estigma internalizado y anticipado. Las barreras a la capacidad, como la limitada alfabetización sanitaria sobre la HRA, fueron menos comunes y, al igual que las barreras motivacionales, estaban vinculadas a las barreras de oportunidades. Los participantes recomendaron posibles facilitadores, incluida una programación más sencilla, la estandarización del manejo del dolor y los servicios de cuidados posteriores, y modificaciones en la sala de examen para reducir la ansiedad. Para retener a los pacientes de HRA en entornos comunitarios, las intervenciones deben abordar las barreras de oportunidades sociales y físicas que determinan fuertemente las barreras motivacionales y de capacidad. Mejorar la conveniencia, estandarizar el manejo del dolor e introducir intervenciones de estigma específicas para la HRA podría aliviar las barreras tanto motivacionales como de capacidad.

Neighborhood Safety and Neighborhood Police Violence Are Associated with Psychological Distress among English- and Spanish-Speaking Transgender Women of Color in New York City: Finding from the TURNNT Cohort Study.

Transgender women of color (TWOC) experience high rates of police violence and victimization compared to other sexual and gender minority groups, as well as compared to other White transgender and cisgender women. While past studies have demonstrated how frequent police harassment is associated with higher psychological distress, the effect of neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence on TWOC's mental health is rarely studied. In this study, we examine the association between neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence with psychological distress among TWOC. Baseline self-reported data are from the TURNNT ("Trying to Understand Relationships, Networks and Neighborhoods among Transgender Woman of Color") Cohort Study (analytic n = 303). Recruitment for the study began September 2020 and ended November 2022. Eligibility criteria included being a TWOC, age 18-55, English- or Spanish-speaking, and planning to reside in the New York City metropolitan area for at least 1 year. In multivariable analyses, neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence were associated with psychological distress. For example, individuals who reported medium levels of neighborhood police violence had 1.15 [1.03, 1.28] times the odds of experiencing psychological distress compared to those who experienced low levels of neighborhood police violence. Our data suggest that neighborhood safety and neighborhood police violence were associated with increased psychological distress among TWOC. Policies and programs to address neighborhood police violence (such as body cameras and legal consequences for abusive officers) may improve mental health among TWOC.

Racial/ethnic differences in the association between transgender-related U.S. state policies and self-rated health of transgender women.

BACKGROUND: Policy protections for transgender adults in the United States are consistently associated with positive health outcomes. However, studies over-represent non-Latinx White transgender people and obscure variation in policies' intended goals. This study examined racial differences in the relationship between transgender-related policies and transgender women's self-rated health. Guided by Critical Race Theory, we hypothesized that policies conferring access to resources (e.g., healthcare) would be associated with better self-rated health among all participants while policies signifying equality (e.g., nondiscrimination laws) would be associated with better self-rated health only for White participants. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data collected between March 2018-December 2020 from 1566 transgender women, we analyzed 7 state-level 'access policies,' 5 'equality policies,' and sum indices of each. Participants represented 29 states, and 54.7% were categorized as people of color. We fit a series of multilevel ordinal regression models predicting self-rated health by each policy. Multivariate models were adjusted for relevant covariates at the individual- and state-level. We then tested moderation by race/ethnicity using interaction terms and generated stratified predicted probability plots. RESULTS: In bivariate models, 4 access policies, 2 equality policies, and both indices were associated with better self-rated health, but associations did not persist in adjusted models. Results from the multivariable models including interaction terms indicated that policies concerning private insurance coverage of gender-affirming care, private insurance nondiscrimination, credit nondiscrimination, and both indices were statistically significantly associated with better self-rated health for White participants and worse self-rated health for participants of color. CONCLUSIONS: The policies included in this analysis do not mitigate racism's effects on access to resources, indicating they may be less impactful for transgender women of color than White transgender women. Future research and policy advocacy efforts promoting transgender women's health must center racial equity as well as transgender people of color's priorities.

Access to healthcare among transgender women living with and without HIV in the United States: associations with gender minority stress and resilience factors.

BACKGROUND: Transgender women (TW) experience significant inequities in healthcare access and health disparities compared to cisgender populations. Access to non-transition related healthcare is understudied among TW. We aimed to assess the association between access to care and gender minority stress and resilience factors among TW living with and without HIV in eastern and southern United States. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data drawn from a cohort of 1613 adult TW from the LITE Study. The cohort permitted participation through two modes: a site-based, technology-enhanced mode and an exclusively online (remote) mode. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses determined measurement models for gender minority stress, resilience, and healthcare access. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationships between these constructs. Models were evaluated within the overall sample and separately by mode and HIV status. RESULTS: Higher levels of gender minority stress, as measured by anticipated discrimination and non-affirmation were associated with decreased access to healthcare. Among TW living with HIV, higher levels of anticipated discrimination, non-affirmation, and social support were associated with decreased healthcare access. Among TW living without HIV in the site-based mode, resilience was positively associated with positive healthcare experiences and inversely associated with barriers to healthcare access. Among TW living without HIV in the online mode, anticipated discrimination was associated with barriers to healthcare access; resilience was positively associated with positive healthcare experiences and inversely associated with barriers to healthcare access. CONCLUSIONS: Gender minority stress was associated with increased barriers to healthcare access among TW in the US, regardless of HIV status. Resilience factors did not mediate this effect. Interventions aiming to increase healthcare access among TW can be aided by efforts to mitigate drivers of gender minority stress and improve patient experiences in healthcare facilities.

Lower levels of social support are associated with risk for future suicide attempts in a clinical sample of transgender and gender diverse adults.

PURPOSE: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults are disproportionately affected by suicide. Social support and connection to the broader TGD community may help lower TGD adults' odds of having a suicide attempt (SA). The current study examined whether baseline levels of social support and community connectedness were associated with TGD adult's prospective odds of having a SA over 12 months of follow-up. METHODS: Longitudinal data for the current study came from a patient cohort of TGD adults enrolled in the LEGACY Project. Descriptive statistics and an attrition analysis were used to examine characteristics of the cohort and missingness over time. Logistic generalized estimating equation models were used to examine factors associated with patients' odds of having a past 6-month SA at 6- or 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: During the 12-month follow-up period, a total of 26 patients (3.1%; N = 830) reported having a SA. The 6-month incidence of SAs was approximately 2% at both 6- and 12-months of follow-up (6 months: N = 830; 12 months: N = 495). Baseline factors associated with increased odds of a future SA included gender identity (transfeminine vs. transmasculine: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-11.08; nonbinary vs. transmasculine: aOR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.03-9.21), having a prior SA (aOR = 6.44, 95% CI = 2.63-15.79), and having moderate vs. high perceived social support (aOR = 4.25, 95% CI = 1.65-10.90). CONCLUSION: Lower levels of social support are associated with risk for future suicide attempts among TGD adults. Findings may inform screening practices for future suicide risk and the development of interventions to improve mental health outcomes for TGD adults.

Stigma, social and structural vulnerability, and mental health among transgender women: A partial least square path modeling analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Existing literature suggests that transgender women (TW) may be at high risk for adverse mental health due to stress attributed to combined experiences of stigma and complex social and structural vulnerabilities. Little research has examined how these co-occurring experiences relate to mental health. We aimed to test a theoretically driven conceptual model of relationships between stigma, social and structural vulnerabilities, and mental health to inform future intervention tailoring. DESIGN/METHODS: Partial least square path modeling followed by response-based unit segmentation was used to identify homogenous clusters in a diverse community sample of United States (US)-based TW (N = 1418; 46.2% White non-Hispanic). This approach examined associations between latent constructs of stigma (polyvictimization and discrimination), social and structural vulnerabilities (housing and food insecurity, unemployment, sex work, social support, and substance use), and mental health (post-traumatic stress and psychological distress). RESULTS: The final conceptual model defined the structural relationship between the variables of interest within stigma, vulnerability, and mental health. Six clusters were identified within this structural framework which suggests that racism, ethnicism, and geography may be related to mental health inequities among TW. CONCLUSION: Our findings around the impact of racism, ethnicism, and geography reflect the existing literature, which unfortunately shows us that little change has occurred in the last decade for TW of color in the Southern US; however, the strength of our evidence (related to sampling structure and sample size) and type of analyses (accounting for co-occurring predictors of health, i.e., stigma and complex vulnerabilities, reflecting that of real-world patients) is a novel and necessary addition to the literature. Findings suggest that health interventions designed to offset the negative effects of stigma must include anti-racist approaches with components to reduce or eliminate barriers to resources that contribute to social and structural vulnerabilities among TW. Herein we provide detailed recommendations to guide primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrated the importance of considering stigma and complex social and structural vulnerabilities during clinical care and design of mental health interventions for transgender women who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress. Specifically, interventions should take an anti-racist approach and would benefit from incorporating social support-building activities.

The sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) medical trainee: the journey through medical education.

In this literature overview, we share with the reader challenges faced by LGBTQ + individuals pursuing medical education, from undergraduate to postgraduate training. The LGBTQ + acronym has evolved to encompass the diverse spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities. Recently, the term "Sexual and Gender Minority" (SGM) has emerged as an umbrella term to provide consistency in research advancing SGM health. The unique obstacles LGBTQ + trainees encounter are highlighted throughout this article, including external factors influencing career decisions, a lack of LGBTQ + healthcare curricula, discriminatory social interactions, limited mentorship opportunities, and a higher mental health burden. These challenges have the capacity to affect educational experiences, personal well-being, and professional growth. Additionally, we examine the impact of inclusive institutional climates on LGBTQ + trainees' selection of medical schools and residency programs, as they may prioritize inclusiveness and diversity when making their choice. In postgraduate training, LGBTQ + trainees continue to face challenges, exemplified by disparities in placement rates and discriminatory experiences based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We describe the gap in current research and its long-term impact of these challenges on career paths. Hostile environments persist in certain specialties, and the lack of LGBTQ + mentorship and support can hinder academic pursuits. We shed light on the unique and pervasive challenges faced by LGBTQ + trainees throughout their medical education journey, while emphasizing the need for inclusive policies, support systems, and research to address these challenges. With increasing research and studies, we hope to create a medical workforce and community that better represents the diverse communities it serves.

Human monkeypox virus infection in women and non-binary individuals during the 2022 outbreaks: a global case series.

BACKGROUND: Between May and November, 2022, global outbreaks of human monkeypox virus infection have been reported in more than 78 000 people worldwide, predominantly in men who have sex with men. We describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of monkeypox virus infection in cisgender (cis) and transgender (trans) women and non-binary individuals assigned female sex at birth to improve identification and understanding of risk factors. METHODS: International collaborators in geographical locations with high numbers of diagnoses of monkeypox virus infection were approached and invited to contribute data on women and non-binary individuals with confirmed monkeypox virus infection. Contributing centres completed deidentified structured case-report spreadsheets, adapted and developed by participating clinicians, to include variables of interest relevant to women and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth. We describe the epidemiology and clinical course observed in the reported infections. FINDINGS: Collaborators reported data for a total of 136 individuals with monkeypox virus infection who presented between May 11 and Oct 4, 2022, across 15 countries. Overall median age was 34 years (IQR 28-40; range 19-84). The cohort comprised 62 trans women, 69 cis women, and five non-binary individuals (who were, because of small numbers, grouped with cis women to form a category of people assigned female at birth for the purpose of comparison). 121 (89%) of 136 individuals reported sex with men. 37 (27%) of all individuals were living with HIV, with a higher proportion among trans women (31 [50%] of 62) than among cis women and non-binary individuals (six [8%] of 74). Sexual transmission was suspected in 55 (89%) trans women (with the remainder having an unknown route of transmission) and 45 (61%) cis women and non-binary individuals; non-sexual routes of transmission (including household and occupational exposures) were reported only in cis women and non-binary individuals. 25 (34%) of 74 cis women and non-binary individuals submitted to the case series were initially misdiagnosed. Overall, among individuals with available data, rash was described in 124 (93%) of 134 individuals and described as anogenital in 95 (74%) of 129 and as vesiculopustular in 105 (87%) of 121. Median number of lesions was ten (IQR 5-24; range 1-200). Mucosal lesions involving the vagina, anus, or oropharynx or eye occurred in 65 (55%) of 119 individuals with available data. Vaginal and anal sex were associated with lesions at those sites. Monkeypox virus DNA was detected by PCR from vaginal swab samples in all 14 samples tested. 17 (13%) individuals were hospitalised, predominantly for bacterial superinfection of lesions and pain management. 33 (24%) individuals were treated with tecovirimat and six (4%) received post-exposure vaccinations. No deaths were reported. INTERPRETATION: The clinical features of monkeypox in women and non-binary individuals were similar to those described in men, including the presence of anal and genital lesions with prominent mucosal involvement. Anatomically, anogenital lesions were reflective of sexual practices: vulvovaginal lesions predominated in cis women and non-binary individuals and anorectal features predominated in trans women. The prevalence of HIV co-infection in the cohort was high. FUNDING: None.

Decreased Anogenital Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in Transgender and Gender Diverse Primary Care Patients Receiving Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults in the U.S. experience health disparities, including in anogenital sexually transmitted infections (STI). Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is known to be medically necessary and improve health. Few studies have assessed the effect of GAHT on STI diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of GAHT delivered in primary care as an intervention to improve STI outcomes for TGD adults. DESIGN: LEGACY is a longitudinal, multisite cohort study of adult TGD primary care patients from two federally qualified community health centers in Boston, MA, and New York, NY. PARTICIPANTS: Electronic health record data for eligible adult TGD patients contributed to the LEGACY research data warehouse (RDW). A total of 6330 LEGACY RDW patients were followed from 2016 to 2019, with 2555 patients providing STI testing data. MAIN MEASURES: GAHT exposure was being prescribed hormones, and the clinical outcome was anogenital gonorrhea or chlamydia diagnoses. Log-Poisson generalized estimating equations assessed the effect of prescription GAHT on primary outcomes, adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, poverty level, health insurance, clinical site, and cohort years. KEY RESULTS: The median age was 28 years (IQR = 13); the racial breakdown was 20.4% Black, 8.1% Multiracial, 6.9% Asian/Pacific Islander, 1.8% Other; 62.8% White; 21.3% Hispanic/Latinx; 47.0% were assigned female at birth, and 16.0% identified as nonbinary. 86.3% were prescribed hormones. Among those tested, the percentage of patients with a positive anogenital STI diagnosis ranged annually from 10.0 to 12.5% between 2016 and 2019. GAHT prescription was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of anogenital STI diagnosis (aRR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.59-0.96) over follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: GAHT delivered in primary care was associated with less STI morbidity in this TGD cohort over follow-up. Patients may benefit from individualized and tailored clinical care alongside GAHT to optimize STI outcomes.

Transforming Medical Education to Provide Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients: A Policy Brief.

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) patients experience a greater burden of health disparities compared with their heterosexual/cisgender counterparts. Some of the poorer health outcomes observed in these populations are known to be associated with the prevalence of implicit bias, bullying, emotional distress, alcoholism, drug abuse, intimate partner violence, sexually transmitted infections (eg, human immunodeficiency virus and human papilloma virus), and cancer. The TGD populations face unique barriers to receiving both routine and gender-affirming health care (acquiring hormones and gender-affirming surgeries). Additional barriers to implementing affirming care training for TGD patients are lack of expertise among medical education faculty and preceptors both in undergraduate and in graduate medical education programs. Drawing on a systematic review of the literature, we propose a policy brief aimed at raising awareness about gender-affirming care among education planners and policy makers in government and advisory bodies.

Changes in high-risk sexual behavior, HIV and other STI testing, and PrEP use during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal cohort of adolescent men who have sex with men 13 to 18 years old in the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted sexual health services among those most vulnerable to HIV acquisition, such as adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM). We sought to characterize the changes in sexual-risk behaviors, HIV and other STI testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among a longitudinal cohort of AMSM aged 13 to 18 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed a significant decline in HIV testing and a marginal decrease in other STI testing since the pandemic began in March 2020. Outreach efforts and innovative remote delivery of sexual health services are needed to support access to healthcare services among AMSM as the pandemic persists.

RESUMEN: La pandemia de COVID-19 ha afectado la prestación de servicios de salud sexual para los más vulnerables, tales como los hombres adolescentes que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (AMSM; por sus siglas en ingles). En una cohorte longitudinal de AMSM de 13 a 18 años, examinamos los cambios en comportamientos sexuales de alto riesgo, la prueba de VIH, las pruebas de otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual, y el uso de Profilaxis Preexposición (PrEP) para el VIH antes y durante la pandemia. Desde el inicio de la pandemia en marzo de 2020, observamos una disminución significativa en la frecuencia de pruebas de VIH y una disminución marginal en la frecuencia de pruebas de otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Mientras persista la pandemia, serán necesarios más esfuerzos de divulgación e innovaciones en la prestación remota de servicios de salud sexual para apoyar el acceso a dichos servicios por parte de AMSM.

A feasibility study of the use of HIV self-tests in young men who have sex with men.

Studies on HIV self-testing (HIV-ST) have been limited to adults (age 18+). The study assessed use of HIV-ST among a diverse group of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States (US) and assessed differences in uptake by demographic characteristics and requirements for parental consent. This study demonstrated feasibility of HIV-ST for YMSM as young as 14 years of age, which suggests potential for increasing HIV testing in this young age group and promoting health equity.

The mediating role of social support between HIV stigma and sexual orientation-based medical mistrust among newly HIV-diagnosed gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

HIV-related stigma and medical mistrust are significant challenges to addressing HIV inequities among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related stigma is associated with high levels of medical mistrust, but there is limited knowledge regarding the mechanisms that link these variables. We examined the potential mediating roles of social support and coping in the relationship between perceived HIV stigma and sexual orientation based-medical mistrust among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM. We hypothesized that HIV-related stigma would be associated with mistrust and that social support, and coping would mediate this relationship. Data were obtained from 202 newly HIV-diagnosed (<1 year) MSM receiving care at community HIV clinics in New York. A path model indicated that HIV stigma was directly related to greater sexual orientation based medical mistrust, and that this relationship was mediated by social support. However, coping did not mediate the relationship between HIV stigma and mistrust. Efforts to increase social support and decrease stigma are critical for strengthening relationships between MSM and HIV care networks. Future research should assess the feasibility of designing and implementing interventions focused on increasing social network support and improving trust in the medical community among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM.

Assessing and Addressing the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism Across the Spectrum of Gender Affirming Care: A Review.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulating evidence demonstrates that gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) improves mental health outcomes in transgender persons. Data specific to the risks associated with GAHT for transgender persons continue to emerge, allowing for improvements in understanding, predicting, and mitigating adverse outcomes while informing discussion about desired effects. Of particular concern is the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the context of both longitudinal GAHT and the perioperative setting. Combining what is known about the risk of VTE in cisgender individuals on hormone therapy (HT) with the evidence for transgender persons receiving HT allows for an informed approach to assess underlying risk and improve care in the transgender community. OBSERVATIONS: Hormone formulation, dosing, route, and duration of therapy can impact thromboembolic risk, with transdermal estrogen formulations having the lowest risk. There are no existing risk scores for VTE that consider HT as a possible risk factor. Risk assessment for recurrent VTE and bleeding tendencies using current scores may be helpful when assessing individual risk. Gender affirming surgeries present unique perioperative concerns, and certain procedures include a high likelihood that patients will be on exogenous estrogens at the time of surgery, potentially increasing thromboembolic risk. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Withholding GAHT due to potential adverse events may cause negative impacts for individual patients. Providers should be knowledgeable about the management of HT in transgender individuals of all ages, as well as in the perioperative setting, to avoid periods in which transgender individuals are off GAHT. Treatment decisions for both anticoagulation and HT should be individualized and tailored to patients' overall goals and desired outcomes, given that the physical and mental health benefits of gender affirming care may outweigh the risk of VTE.

The Helping Networks of Transgender Women Living with HIV.

Transgender women living with HIV face significant barriers to healthcare that may be best addressed through community-centered interventions holistically focused on their HIV-related, gender-related, and other important needs. Community health ambassador (CHA) interventions (education and training programs designed to engage communities and community leaders in health promotion) may be an effective option, though information about the natural helping networks of this vulnerable population is too limited to inform the implementation of this approach. This study uses social network analysis to describe the natural helping networks of transgender women living with HIV, their help-seeking patterns for HIV-related, gender-related, and ancillary resources, and the characteristics of potential network ambassadors. From February to August 2019, transgender women living with HIV in the US (N = 231) participated a 30-min online survey asking them to describe their natural helping networks (N = 1054). On average, participants were embedded within natural helping networks consisting of 4-5 people. They were more likely to seek help from informal network members vs. formal service providers (p < .01), and from chosen family and partners/spouses (p < .05) above other social connections. Older network members (p < .01), other transgender women (p < .05), and those with whom they regularly engaged face-to-face (p < .01) (vs. social technology) were identified as potential network ambassadors for HIV-, gender-related, and other important issues. These findings suggest an opportunity to develop CHA interventions that leverage existing help networks and potential network ambassadors to promote equitable access to HIV, gender-affirming, and other crucial resources among this medically underserved group.

Together-Equitable-Accessible-Meaningful (TEAM) Training to Improve Cancer Care for Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM): Outcomes from a Pilot Study.

To alleviate health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients, cancer care professionals need further education on the needs of SGM cancer patients and their loved ones and caregivers. The Together-Equitable-Accessible-Meaningful (TEAM) Training to Improve Cancer Care for SGM Patients (TEAM SGM) was developed and piloted to address this need. This study reports healthcare professional learner outcomes from the TEAM SGM pilot intervention. The TEAM SGM Training pilot consisted of 2.5 h of content from the original online self-paced TEAM Training plus 12 1-h Zoom sessions on specialized topics in addition to readings and activities. Participants (n = 28), representing seven cancer service organizations from six states in the USA, were recruited through newsletter listservs and social media. All participants (n = 28) completed the pre-test and twenty-two participants completed the post-test. Using five factors confirmed in a separate Confirmatory Factor Analysis, paired t-tests of TEAM SGM participant pre- and post-test data were conducted. Statistically significant improvements were found in four of five factors: Environmental Cues (t(21) = 2.56, p = .018), Knowledge (t(21) = 2.15, p = .043), Clinical Preparedness (t(7) = 3.89, p = .006), Clinical Behaviors (t(21) = 2.48, p = .022). The Attitudes factor was not significantly improved from pre-intervention to post-intervention likely due to strong affirming attitudes toward SGM patients at baseline. TEAM SGM is a feasible, effective training to build capacity in SGM-affirming care for cancer care providers.

The effect of psychosocial stress on prenatal care among Hispanic immigrant women.

ABSTRACT: This article explores the effect of psychosocial stress on Hispanic immigrant women, including access to and use of prenatal care and birth outcomes. In addition to highlighting the health effects for this growing population, the article outlines strategies for clinicians to improve access to adequate prenatal care and to cultivate a supportive environment to promote use of prenatal services.