Work

HIV Testing and Entry to Care Among Trans Women in Indiana

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Trans women in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. To improve HIV services for this population, more information is needed about their experiences in early stages of the HIV Care Continuum. Trans women in states such as Indiana, which has moderate HIV incidence but little public health investment in HIV prevention and treatment, experience special challenges. Our qualitative descriptive study describes the circumstances influencing HIV testing and entry to care by 18 trans women living with HIV in Central Indiana. In-depth interviews regarding participants' HIV care experiences were analyzed using standard content analysis. Participants discussed three main topics: (a) HIV testing circumstances, (b) facilitators and barriers to entering care, and (c) motivators for entering care after a delay. Findings indicate that social relationships play a significant role in trans women's care experiences and that stigma, discrimination, and adverse life circumstance are powerful deterrents to care. Practice and policy implications are discussed.

Source: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

DOI: 10.1016/j.jana.2017.05.003

Authors: Dana D. Hines, Claire Burke Draucker, Barbara Habermann

Institutions: George Washington University, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana University, University of Delaware

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Nursing Research