Travestis and transsexual women: who are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections?

OBJECTIVE: To compare social characteristics, risk behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections among travestis and transsexual women. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out in three cities in Goiás, Central Brazil. Trans women were interviewed on sociodemographic characteristics, discrimination, prejudice, sexual behavior, illicit drugs, and previous testing for HIV and syphilis between April 2018 and August 2019. RESULTS: A total of 166 travestis and 249 transsexual women were investigated. Although sexual, physical, and verbal violence were common to both groups, sexual behavior, use of illicit drugs, prison, and previous positive HIV and syphilis testing were more frequent among travestis than in transsexual women. CONCLUSION: The present findings confirm that Brazilian travestis are at greater risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), indicating that health services should take this imbalance into account in terms of health intervention proportions.

Travestis and transsexual women: who are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections? / Travestis e mulheres transexuais: quem tem maior risco de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis?

ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare social characteristics, risk behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections among travestis and transsexual women. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in three cities in Goiás, Central Brazil. Trans women were interviewed on sociodemographic characteristics, discrimination, prejudice, sexual behavior, illicit drugs, and previous testing for HIV and syphilis between April 2018 and August 2019. Results: A total of 166 travestis and 249 transsexual women were investigated. Although sexual, physical, and verbal violence were common to both groups, sexual behavior, use of illicit drugs, prison, and previous positive HIV and syphilis testing were more frequent among travestis than in transsexual women. Conclusion: The present findings confirm that Brazilian travestis are at greater risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), indicating that health services should take this imbalance into account in terms of health intervention proportions.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Comparar características sociais, comportamentos de risco e infecções sexualmente transmissíveis entre travestis e mulheres transexuais. Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido em três cidades de Goiás, Brasil Central. De abril de 2018 a agosto de 2019, foram entrevistadas mulheres trans a respeito de características sociodemográficas, discriminação, preconceito, comportamentos sexuais, drogas ilícitas e testagem prévia para HIV e sífilis. Resultados: Um total de 166 travestis e 249 mulheres transexuais foram investigadas. Embora as violências sexual, física e verbal fossem comuns para ambos os grupos, comportamentos sexuais, uso de drogas ilícitas, prisão e teste positivo para HIV e sífilis foram mais frequentes entre as travestis quando comparadas às mulheres transexuais. Conclusão: Os presentes resultados ratificam que as travestis brasileiras apresentam maior risco para infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST); portanto, os gestores de saúde devem levar em conta esse desequilíbrio nas propostas de medidas de intervenção em saúde.

Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in sugarcane cutters: subsidies to caring for.

OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and associated factors in sugarcane cutters. METHOD: a cross-sectional, analytical study with 937 sugarcane cutters from Paraíba and Goiás, states of Brazil, respectively. An outcome variable was the positive results in some rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. Bivariate and multiple analyses were performed to identify the association between these infections and sociodemographic and behavioral variables. RESULTS: all participants were male, most were young adults and had low schooling. Prevalence of STI was estimated at 4.1% (95% CI: 3.0-5.5). According to multiple regression analysis, the variables age over 40 years (OR 5.0; CI 95%: 1.8-14), alcohol consumption (OR 3.9; CI 95%: 1.3-11.9), and illicit drugs (OR 2.9; CI 95%: 1.3-6.3) were factors associated with the STIs investigated. On the other hand, having some religion (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.8), and work in the Midwest Region (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.9) were factors negatively associated with these infections. CONCLUSION: presence of risk behaviors for STI among sugarcane cutters. Screening for these infections in groups of rural workers is essential for early diagnosis and breaking the chain of transmission.

Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in sugarcane cutters: subsidies to caring for* / Fatores associados às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em cortadores de cana-de-açúcar: subsídios para o cuidado* / Factores asociados con infecciones de transmisión sexual en cortadores de caña de azúcar: contribuciones para el cuidado*

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and associated factors in sugarcane cutters. Method: a cross-sectional, analytical study with 937 sugarcane cutters from Paraíba and Goiás, states of Brazil, respectively. An outcome variable was the positive results in some rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. Bivariate and multiple analyses were performed to identify the association between these infections and sociodemographic and behavioral variables. Results: all participants were male, most were young adults and had low schooling. Prevalence of STI was estimated at 4.1% (95% CI: 3.0-5.5). According to multiple regression analysis, the variables age over 40 years (OR 5.0; CI 95%: 1.8-14), alcohol consumption (OR 3.9; CI 95%: 1.3-11.9), and illicit drugs (OR 2.9; CI 95%: 1.3-6.3) were factors associated with the STIs investigated. On the other hand, having some religion (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.8), and work in the Midwest Region (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.9) were factors negatively associated with these infections. Conclusion: presence of risk behaviors for STI among sugarcane cutters. Screening for these infections in groups of rural workers is essential for early diagnosis and breaking the chain of transmission.

Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (IST) e fatores associados em cortadores de cana-de-açúcar. Método: estudo transversal, analítico, com 937 cortadores de cana-de-açúcar dos estados da Paraíba e de Goiás, no Brasil. Considerou-se como variável de desfecho a positividade em algum teste rápido para HIV, sífilis, hepatite B e C. Análises bivariada e múltipla foram realizadas para identificar associação entre essas infecções e variáveis sociodemográficas e comportamentais. Resultados: todos os participantes eram do sexo masculino, a maioria eram adultos jovens e possuíam baixa escolaridade. Estimou-se uma prevalência para IST de 4,1%(IC 95%: 3,0-5,5). De acordo com a análise de regressão múltipla, variáveis como idade acima de 40 anos (OR 5,0; IC 95%: 1,8-14), consumo de álcool (OR 3,9; IC 95%: 1,3-11,9) e de drogas ilícitas (OR 2,9; IC 95%: 1,3-6,3) foram fatores associados às IST investigadas. Por outro lado, ter alguma religião (OR 0,4; IC 95%: 0,2-0,8) e trabalhar na Região Centro-Oeste (OR 0,4; IC 95%: 0,2-0,9) foram fatores associados negativamente a essas infecções. Conclusão: presença de comportamentos de risco para as IST entre os cortadores de cana-de-açúcar. O rastreio destas infecções em grupos de trabalhadores rurais é fundamental para diagnóstico precoce e quebra da cadeia de transmissão.

Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) y factores asociados en cortadores de caña de azúcar. Método: estudio analítico transversal con 937 cortadores de caña de azúcar de los estados de Paraíba y Goiás, en Brasil. Se consideró como variable el resultado positivo en algunas pruebas rápidas para VIH, sífilis, hepatitis B y C. Se realizaron análisis bivariados y múltiples para identificar una asociación entre estas infecciones y las variables sociodemográficas y de comportamiento. Resultados: todos los participantes eran hombres, la mayoría eran adultos jóvenes con bajo índice de escolaridad. Se estimó una prevalencia de ITS de 4.1% (IC 95%: 3.0-5.5). Según el análisis de regresión múltiple, variables como edad superior a 40 años (OR 5.0; IC 95%: 1.8-14), consumo de alcohol (OR 3.9; IC 95%: 1.3- 11.9) y drogas ilícitas (OR 2.9; IC 95%: 1.3-6.3) fueron factores asociados a las ITS investigadas. Por otro lado, factores como tener alguna religión (OR 0.4; IC 95%: 0.2-0.8) y trabajar en la región Centro-Oeste (OR 0.4; IC 95%: 0.2-0.9) tuvieron una asociación negativa en relación a estas infecciones. Conclusión: se advirtió la presencia de comportamientos de riesgo para ITS entre cortadores de caña de azúcar. La detección de estas infecciones en grupos de trabajadores rurales es esencial para la detección temprana de diagnóstico y para romper la cadena de transmisión.