Invisibilização e preconceitos velados: barreiras para o acesso aos serviços de atenção básica pela população trans / Invisibilization and veiled prejudices: barriers to access to primary care services for the transgender population / Invisibilización y prejuicios velados: barreras para el acceso de la población trans a los servicios de atención primaria

Introdução: No processo de edificação da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral LGBT+, a Atenção Básica ganha importante destaque, pois deveria funcionar como o contato preferencial dos usuários transgênero (trans). Objetivo: Investigar quais as percepções dos profissionais da Atenção Básica quanto às situações de vulnerabilidade enfrentadas pelas pessoas trans, bem como pesquisar os impedimentos que eles consideram existir na busca dessa população por acesso a esses serviços. Métodos: Utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com 38 profissionais de saúde atuantes das Estratégias Saúde da Família de dois municípios do interior do estado de São Paulo. O material obtido foi submetido à análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Os resultados apontaram para o desconhecimento quanto aos reais empecilhos que dificultam o acesso e seguimento de pessoas trans nos serviços de saúde. Observou-se ainda a manutenção de preconceitos e ideias que reforçam estereótipos ligados ao tema e que se estendem ao exercício da profissão. Isso se relaciona diretamente com a falta da abordagem de assuntos relacionados à sexualidade humana na graduação desses profissionais, além da falta de atualização quanto ao tema, o que impacta a qualidade do serviço que é ofertado à população em estudo. Conclusões: As normativas e portarias já existentes precisam ser efetivamente postas em prática, fazendo-se imperativas a ampliação e difusão do conhecimento a respeito da temática trans no contexto dos serviços públicos de saúde, o que pode servir como base para subsidiar a formação dos profissionais que atuam nesse setor, bem como políticas públicas efetivas.

Introduction: In the process of creating the National LGBT+ Comprehensive Health Policy, primary care has important prominence as it must work as the preferential contact of transgender (trans) users. Objective: To investigate the perceptions of primary care professionals about the vulnerability situations faced by trans persons and also hindrances they consider existing in this population's search for access to these services. Methods: A qualitative approach was used through semi-structured interviews with 38 health care professionals working in the Family Health Strategy of two cities in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. The material obtained was submitted to analysis of Bardin content. Results: The results pointed to a lack of knowledge about real hindrances that obstruct the access to and follow-up by health services for trans persons. It was also observed the maintenance of prejudices and ideas that reinforce stereotypes connected to the matter and extend to the practice of professionals. It is directly related to the lack of approach of issues related to human sexuality in the education of those professionals, in addition to lack of update about it, which impacts the quality of service offered to the population under study. Conclusions: The standards and ordinances already existing need to be effectively practiced, being crucial the extension and spread of knowledge about trans matters in the context of public health services. It can be the basis for subsidizing the education of professionals who work in this field, as well as effective public policies.

Introducción: En el proceso de edificación de la Política Nacional de Salud Integral LGBT+, la Atención Básica tiene importante destaque, pues debería funcionar como contacto preferente de los usuarios transgénero (trans). Objetivo: Investigar las percepciones de los profesionales de Atención Básica sobre las situaciones de vulnerabilidad que enfrentan las personas trans, así como investigar los impedimentos que consideran que existe en la búsqueda de esta población por el acceso a estos servicios. Métodos: Se utilizó un abordaje cualitativo por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas con 38 profesionales de salud actuantes de las Estrategias de Salud de la Familia de dos municipios del interior del estado de São Paulo. El material obtenido fue sometido a análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Los resultados apuntaron al desconocimiento sobre los reales obstáculos que dificultan el acceso de personas trans a los servicios, además del segmento de los cuidados en las unidades. Se observó además que se mantienen los prejuicios e ideas que refuerzan estereotipos vinculados al tema y que se extienden al ejercicio de la profesión. Esto se relaciona directamente a la falta da abordaje de asuntos relacionados a la sexualidad humana en la graduación de estos profesionales, además de la falta de actualización sobre el tema, lo que impacta en la calidad del servicio que se ofrece a la población en estudio. Conclusiones: Las normas y ordenanzas ya existentes deben ser efectivamente puestas en práctica, por lo que es imperativo ampliar y difundir el conocimiento sobre la temática trans en el contexto de los servicios públicos de salud, que pueda servir de base para apoyar la formación de profesionales que actúan en este sector, así como políticas públicas efectivas.

Group differences in gender expression discrimination and depressive and anxiety symptoms among transgender and gender-expansive adults: The role of gender identity pride.

Despite established associations between discrimination and mental health, little research has focused on gender expression discrimination and integrated individual strengths such as transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) identity pride. This study examined the roles of gender expression discrimination and pride in mental health among TGE adults across gender identity, race, and class. A national sample of TGE adults (N = 212) completed online measures assessing gender identity, race, income, gender expression-related discrimination, TGE identity pride, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Gender expression discrimination was positively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), higher income, transfeminine participants reported more gender expression discrimination. High TGE identity pride buffered the association between gender expression discrimination and depression-most robustly for BIPOC, lower income, transfeminine participants. TGE identity pride may buffer the effects of gender expression discrimination on depression. Intersectionality in case formulation and treatment planning with TGE individuals is vital.

Individually customized gender affirming genital procedures: techniques and considerations.

PURPOSE: Gender-affirming surgery is being increasingly performed for transgender and gender-diverse individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria. However, there is a group of patients who may seek outcomes that are either a combination of or altogether different from those of binary procedures such as penile inversion vaginoplasty or phalloplasty. METHODS: We describe surgical techniques for less commonly performed gender-affirming genital procedures, in order to introduce these procedures to the medical and surgical community. RESULTS: Operative techniques for phallus-preserving vaginoplasty, vagina-preserving phalloplasty, and removal of genitalia with creation of perineal urethrostomy are described. Demographic characteristics and complications of these procedures in 16 patients are reported. CONCLUSION: Individually customized gender-affirming genital procedures, such as phallus-preserving vaginoplasty, vaginal-preserving phalloplasty, and removal of genitalia and creation of perineal urethrostomy, may better affirm the identities of some gender-diverse patients, and may also preserve desired sexual function of natal genitalia.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on HIV prevention and treatment services for key populations in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Key populations (KP), including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and transgender women (TGW), experience a disproportionate burden of HIV, even in generalized epidemics like South Africa. Given this disproportionate burden and unique barriers to accessing health services, sustained provision of care is particularly relevant. It is unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions may have impacted this delivery. In this study, we aimed to describe patterns of engagement in HIV prevention and treatment services among KP in South Africa and assess the impact of different COVID-19 restriction levels on service delivery. METHODS: We leveraged programmatic data collected by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-supported KP partners in South Africa. We divided data into three discrete time periods based on national COVID-19 restriction periods: (i) Pre-restriction period, (ii) High-level restriction period, and (iii) After-high level restriction period. Primary outcomes included monthly total HIV tests, new HIV cases identified, new initiations of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and new enrollments in antiretroviral therapy (ART). We conducted interrupted time series segmented regression analyses to estimate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on HIV prevention and treatment service utilization. RESULTS: Between January 2018 and June 2022, there were a total of 231,086 HIV tests, 27,051 HIV positive cases, 27,656 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiations, and 15,949 antiretroviral therapy initiations among MSM, FSW and TGW in PEPFAR-supported KP programs in South Africa. We recorded 90,457 total HIV tests during the 'pre-restriction' period, with 13,593 confirmed new HIV diagnoses; 26,134 total HIV tests with 2,771 new diagnoses during the 'high-level restriction' period; and 114,495 HIV tests with 10,687 new diagnoses during the after high-level restriction period. Our Poisson regression model estimates indicate an immediate and significant decrease in service engagement at the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, including declines in HIV testing, treatment, and PrEP use, which persisted. As programs adjusted to the new restrictions, there was a gradual rebound in service engagement, particularly among MSM and FSW. Towards the end of the high-level restriction period, with some aspects of daily life returning to normal but others still restricted, there was more variability. Some indicators continued to improve, while others stagnated or decreased. CONCLUSION: Service provision rebounded from the initial shock created by pandemic-related restrictions, and HIV services were largely maintained for KP in South Africa. These results suggest that HIV service delivery among programs designed for KP was able to be flexible and resilient to the evolving restrictions. The results of this study can inform plans for future pandemics and large-scale disruptions to the delivery of HIV services.

Gender-affirming hormonal therapy induces a gender-concordant fecal metagenome transition in transgender individuals.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exists regarding gender-specific microbial alterations during gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) in transgender individuals. This study aimed to investigate the nuanced impact of sex steroids on gut microbiota taxonomy and function, addressing this gap. We prospectively analyzed gut metagenome changes associated with 12 weeks of GAHT in trans women and trans men, examining both taxonomic and functional shifts. METHODS: Thirty-six transgender individuals (17 trans women, 19 trans men) provided pre- and post-GAHT stool samples. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to assess the changes in gut microbiota structure and potential function following GAHT. RESULTS: While alpha and beta diversity remained unchanged during transition, specific species, including Parabacteroides goldsteinii and Escherichia coli, exhibited significant abundance shifts aligned with affirmed gender. Overall functional metagenome analysis showed a statistically significant effect of gender and transition (R2 = 4.1%, P = 0.0115), emphasizing transitions aligned with affirmed gender, particularly in fatty acid-related metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides compelling evidence of distinct taxonomic and functional profiles in the gut microbiota between trans men and women. GAHT induces androgenization in trans men and feminization in trans women, potentially impacting physiological and health-related outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02185274.

Immune system adaptation during gender-affirming testosterone treatment.

Infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions present differently in males and females. SARS-CoV-2 infection in naive males is associated with increased risk of death, whereas females are at increased risk of long COVID1, similar to observations in other infections2. Females respond more strongly to vaccines, and adverse reactions are more frequent3, like most autoimmune diseases4. Immunological sex differences stem from genetic, hormonal and behavioural factors5 but their relative importance is only partially understood6-8. In individuals assigned female sex at birth and undergoing gender-affirming testosterone therapy (trans men), hormone concentrations change markedly but the immunological consequences are poorly understood. Here we performed longitudinal systems-level analyses in 23 trans men and found that testosterone modulates a cross-regulated axis between type-I interferon and tumour necrosis factor. This is mediated by functional attenuation of type-I interferon responses in both plasmacytoid dendritic cells and monocytes. Conversely, testosterone potentiates monocyte responses leading to increased tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-15 production and downstream activation of nuclear factor kappa B-regulated genes and potentiation of interferon-γ responses, primarily in natural killer cells. These findings in trans men are corroborated by sex-divergent responses in public datasets and illustrate the dynamic regulation of human immunity by sex hormones, with implications for the health of individuals undergoing hormone therapy and our understanding of sex-divergent immune responses in cisgender individuals.

Live sobre Visibilidade Trans

Conheça o Denny Tavares, educador físico

Neste episódio do Saúde Para Todes vocês vão conferir a conversa que tivemos com o Denny Tavares, ele é profissional de educação física no Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família, da UBS Bom Retiro. No vídeo, ele conta como é ser um profissional trans na rede de saúde.

Saiba a diferença entre cis e trans

Alguns termos como cisgênero e transgênero ainda causam dúvidas em quem não está tão familiarizado com as discussões que envolvem gênero e sexualidade. No episódio de hoje do #SaúdeParaTodes vamos explicar essas diferenças e mostrar com o #SUS está presente na vida de todes. Dá o play!

Transgender Athlete Participation in Sport: Misplaced Fear and the Harms of Exclusion.

ABSTRACT: As physical therapists and exercise professionals, we have an obligation to promote health and well-being through participation in sport and recreational/physical activity. We play an active role in facilitating and encouraging movement for a large percentage of the population, including our transgender patients/clients. It is integral that we include transgender individuals in supportive and inclusive atmospheres of play, and it is critical for us to lead the conversation around the inclusion of the transgender community in recreational activities and sport. This commentary provides evidence for the physical therapy community to support, advocate for, and include all populations as we promote healthy habits through sport.

Barriers to Healthcare for Transgender Individuals.

Background: Transgender (TG) clients experience provider bias, erasure, refusal to treat, and violence. Objective: The purpose of this article is to identify barriers to healthcare for TG individuals and discuss recommendations for providers treating this population. Methods: Literature review of prime research was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl methodology (2005). Results: Evidence suggests that barriers to TG healthcare include lack of provider TG knowledge and trans sensitivity, lack of provider communication, and lack of emotional and physical safe healthcare environments. Conclusions: TG clients face barriers to accessing healthcare, and specific recommendations to improve provider practice will decrease these barriers. Implications for Practice: Lack of provider education affects TG individuals accessing quality healthcare. Recommendations to improve provider practice are essential to improve care.

Recruiting transgender men in the Southeastern United States for genital microbiome research: Lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Transgender men (TGM) are underrepresented in genital microbiome research. Our prospective study in Birmingham, AL investigated genital microbiota changes over time in TGM initiating testosterone, including the development of incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV). Here, we present lessons learned from recruitment challenges encountered during the conduct of this study. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were assigned female sex at birth, TGM or non-binary identity, age ≥18 years, interested in injectable testosterone but willing to wait 7 days after enrollment before starting, and engaged with a testosterone-prescribing provider. Exclusion criteria were recent antibiotic use, HIV/STI infection, current vaginal infection, pregnancy, or past 6 months testosterone use. Recruitment initiatives included community advertisements via flyers, social media posts, and referrals from local gender health clinics. RESULTS: Between February 2022 and October 2023, 61 individuals contacted the study, 17 (27.9%) completed an in-person screening visit, and 10 (58.8%) of those screened were enrolled. The primary reasons for individuals failing study screening were having limited access to testosterone-prescribing providers, already being on testosterone, being unwilling to wait 7 days to initiate testosterone therapy, or desiring the use of topical testosterone. Engagement of non-White TGM was also minimal. CONCLUSION: Despite robust study inquiry by TGM, screening and enrollment challenges were faced including engagement by TGM not yet in care and specific study eligibility criteria. Excitement among TGM for research representation should be leveraged in future work by engaging transgender community stakeholders at the inception of study development, particularly regarding feasibility of study inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as recruitment of TGM of color. These results also highlight the need for more clinical resources for prescribing gender-affirming hormone therapy, especially in the Southeastern US.

Legal Recognition, Protection, and Health: A Socio-legal Framework for Assessing Determinants of Health in the Jamaican Trans Community.

In Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, the legal system allows for discrimination based on gender and sexual identity with impunity. This exposes trans people to disparate risks of violence and barriers to accessing social services such as health care. In this paper we assess the social determinants of health in the Jamaican trans population using a modified social-ecological model of transgender stigma and stigma interventions. To conduct this assessment, we situated the findings of the 2021 Jamaican Trans Health Needs Assessment and Trans Health Strategy within the socio-ecological framework with direct application to rights-based health services as well as the Jamaican legal system to develop a model for understanding the socio-legal determinants of health. The social determinants of health identified within the Jamaican trans community are all influenced by a lack of legal protection suggesting a need for legal reform toward nondiscrimination of sexual and gender-diverse populations.

TransOdara study: the challenge of integrating methods, settings and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect transgender women and travestis (TGW), who often lack access to healthcare due to stigma and discrimination. We describe the approach and methodology of a study investigating the prevalence of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and human papillomavirus (HPV) among TGW, as well as their knowledge and perceptions regarding syphilis, to better inform policies to curb STIs among this vulnerable population. METHODS: TransOdara was a multicentric, cross-sectional study conducted among TGW in five capital cities from major Brazilian regions between December 2019 and July 2021. Self-identified transgender women and travestis aged >18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling after a qualitative formative phase, completed an interviewer-led questionnaire, were offered a physical examination, and were also asked to provide samples from multiple sites to detect various STIs, starting vaccination and treatment when indicated. RESULTS: A total of 1,317 participants were recruited from the five study locations: Campo Grande (n=181, 13.7%), Manaus (n=340, 25.8%), Porto Alegre (n=192, 14.6%), Salvador (n=201, 15.3%), and São Paulo (n=403, 30.6%). The recruitment period varied at each study location due to logistic constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Despite the enormous challenges posed by the co-occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and field work targeting a vulnerable, elusive, and scattered population, the TransOdara project has been effectively implemented. Caveats did not preclude 1,300 TGW from being interviewed and tested, amid a significant epidemic that disrupted health services and research projects in Brazil and worldwide.

Prevalence of syphilis in transgender women and travestis in Brazil: results from a national cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of acquired syphilis and associated factors in a national survey. METHODS: TransOdara was a cross-sectional study comprising transgender women and travestis (TGW) in five major cities in Brazil during December of 2019 and July of 2021. The sample was recruited using the respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method. The outcome "active syphilis" was defined as a positive treponemal test and Venereal-Disease-Research-Laboratory (VDRL) title greater than∕ equal to ⅛. Sociodemographic variables were described. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression were performed, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. All analyses were performed in R, 4.3.1. RESULTS: A total of 1,317 TGW were recruited, with 1,291 being tested for syphilis, and 294 (22.8%) meeting the criteria for active syphilis. In bivariate analysis, black/mixed race (OR=1.41, 95%CI 1.01-1.97), basic level of education (OR=2.44, 95%CI 1.17-5.06), no name change in documents (OR=1.39, 95%CI 1.00-1.91) and sex work (past only OR= 2.22, 95%CI 1.47-3.32; partial OR=2.75, 95%CI 1.78-4.25; full time OR=3.62, 95%CI 2.36-5.53) were associated with active syphilis. In the multivariate analysis, sex work was the only associated factor, 2.07 (95%CI 1.37-3.13) past sex work, 2.59 (95%CI 1.66-4.05) part-time sex work and 3.16 (95%CI 2.04-4.92) sex work as the main source of income. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of active syphilis in this study was elevated compared with other countries in Latin America. Sex work was an important associated factor with active syphilis, highlighting the impact that this condition of vulnerability may have in the health of TGW, as members of a key, marginalized population.

Hepatitis A, B and C prevalence among transgender women and travestis in five Brazilian capitals between 2019-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis A, B, and C in transgender women and travestis's networks, in 5 regions of Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study includedtransgender women and travestis in five Brazilian capitals (Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador, and São Paulo), between December/2019 and July/2021. All samples were subjected to detection of serological markers of hepatitis virus A (HAV), B (HBV), and C (HCV) infections through rapid tests and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays. Positive samples in the screening tests were submitted to detect HBV DNA and HCV-RNA by real-time PCR and genotyped by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Analysis of 1,317 samples showed network prevalence rates of 69.1%, 25.1%, and 1.5% for HAV, HBV, and HCV exposure, respectively. A high susceptibility rate to HBV infection (35.7%) and low prevalence of vaccine response markers (40%) were also observed. Age greater than 26 years, self-declared black/brown skin color, having only primary education, history of incarceration, and use of a condom in the last sexual intercourse with a casual partner were associated with total anti-HAV. Exposure to HBV was associated with age greater than 26 years, self-declared black/brown, history of being a sex worker, and incarceration. Age > 37 years, history of sexual abuse, and frequent alcohol consumption were associated with hepatitis C infection. CONCLUSION: The highest prevalence of HAV in this population was found in the North and Northeast regions, and the prevalence found was higher than that in the general population, suggesting greater vulnerability. The prevalence of HCV infection in our study was similar to that observed in the general population.

Difficulties and advances in access to and use of health services by transgender women and travestis in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the narratives of transgender women and travestis (TGW) from four Brazilian cities regarding access to and use of health services. METHODS: Qualitative study carried out within the scope of the TransOdara project, cross-sectional multicenter mixed methods research conducted between 2019-2021. Fifty-two in-depth interviews with TGW in Manaus, Campo Grande, Porto Alegre and São Paulo were analyzed. The analysis was guided by philosophical hermeneutics. RESULTS: Reports of discrimination, stigmatization and pathologization reiterate the difficulties faced by TGW in seeking healthcare. The recurrence of disrespect for the social/corrected name reveals obstacles to the recognition of transgender identities and, in some cases, the intention of inhibiting transsexuality-travestilidade. Other difficulties arise from actions that disregard the health specificities of TGW or the precarious social conditions that affect some of them. On the other hand, based on experiences of respect and adequate care, participants identify an ongoing change, which is expressed in greater availability of services and improved assistance. There is an expectation of continued expansion of services, technologies and training of health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The identified change has been undertaken at the interface of public health policies with LGBT+ activism and the production of knowledge about TGW health needs. Although the identified advances are insufficient to change the scenario of the historical exclusion experienced by TGW in health services, they point to promising ways to improve their health conditions.