The risk less known: female-to-male transgender persons' vulnerability to HIV infection.

Studies have consistently found high levels of HIV infection among male-to-female (MTF) transgender people, particularly MTF sex workers. Due to lack of empirical data, HIV/AIDS risk among female-to-male (FTM) transgender people, however, is not well understood. This study analysed data from two needs assessment surveys to compare risk for HIV infection between 122 MTF and 62 FTM transgender people. Results show that there was a significant gender difference in HIV risk among the survey respondents. Compared to MTFs, FTMs were significantly less likely to have used protection the last time they had sex and significantly more likely to have engaged in recent high risk sexual activity. The gender difference existed even after controlling for demographic variables, AIDS knowledge, perceived AIDS knowledge, perceived effectiveness of condom usage, perceived susceptibility to AIDS and self-esteem. Findings from this study suggest that a thorough examination of HIV risk factors among FTMs is necessary.

HIV among transgendered people.

This study explores HIV status and HIV-related risk factors among transgendered people. A needs assessment survey developed with the help of transgendered people was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with 81 transgendered persons, 49 male-to-females (MTFs) and 32 female-to-males (FTMs). The findings indicate that HIV/AIDS is a serious health concern facing the transgender community. The majority of respondents engaged in at least one high risk sexual activity during the past three months, were willing to have high risk sex in the future and did not believe they were susceptible to infection. FTMs have a significantly lower level of AIDS knowledge than MTFs (p < 0.01). Over half (56.7%) of FTMs have not been tested for HIV/AIDS. Efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among the transgender community are urgently needed. HIV/AIDS prevention must specifically target transgendered people, including FTMs who, despite being at risk, have been largely ignored.