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High Frequency of Illegal Drug Use Influences Condom Use Among Female Transgender Sex Workers in Argentina: Impact on HIV and Syphilis Infections

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Abstract

The high prevalence of HIV and syphilis found among female transgender sex workers (FTSWs) in Argentina calls for the study of factors leading to negative health consequences. Given the particular characteristics observed in this population (high marginalization, school dropout, and low adherence to healthcare services), we explored the association of several socio-demographic characteristics with syphilis and HIV infections, and the determinants of condom use. This study revealed that FTSWs from Argentina were exposed to several risk factors decreasing thus their ability to negotiate condom use and leading to increased risk for transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Strategies to reduce HIV and syphilis in this population should consider interventions aimed at decreasing violence and substance use which appear to be the most important determinants. Results of this study will contribute to the global information among FTSWs.

Resumen

La elevada prevalencia del VIH y sífilis encontrada entre las trabajadoras sexuales transgénero en Argentina requiere el estudio de los factores que conducen a estas consecuencias negativas para la salud. Dadas las características particulares observadas en esta población (alta marginalidad, abandono escolar y baja adherencia a los servicios de salud), se exploró la asociación de varias características sociodemográficas con la presencia de sífilis e infección por VIH, así como los determinantes de uso de preservativo. Este estudio reveló que las trabajadoras sexuales transgénero de Argentina estaban expuestas a varios factores de riesgo disminuyendo así su capacidad de negociar el uso de preservativo y que las expone a un mayor riesgo de transmisión del VIH y otras ITS. Las estrategias para reducir el VIH y la sífilis en esta población deberían considerar intervenciones dirigidas a disminuir la violencia y el consumo de sustancias que parecen ser los determinantes más importantes. Los resultados de este estudio contribuyen a una mejor comprensión de la situación de salud de trabajadoras sexuales transgénero de Argentina.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all participants who made this study possible, as well as Mr. Sergio Mazzini for editing the manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Research Council (CONICET) of Argentina (PIPs 112-200801-01773 and 2012-1048) and the Global Fund Project (Subproject No. 112).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Paraguay 2155, Piso 11, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    María M. Avila, María S. dos Ramos Farías, Lucía Fazzi & María A. Pando

  2. Asociación de Travestis, Transexuales y Transgénero de Argentina (ATTTA), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marcela Romero

  3. Red de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales de Latinoamérica y El Caribe (RedTraSex), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Elena Reynaga

  4. Nexo Asociación Civil, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Rubén Marone

Authors
  1. María M. Avila
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  2. María S. dos Ramos Farías
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  3. Lucía Fazzi
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  4. Marcela Romero
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  5. Elena Reynaga
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  6. Rubén Marone
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  7. María A. Pando
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to María A. Pando.

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Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in the study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Avila, M.M., dos Ramos Farías, M.S., Fazzi, L. et al. High Frequency of Illegal Drug Use Influences Condom Use Among Female Transgender Sex Workers in Argentina: Impact on HIV and Syphilis Infections. AIDS Behav 21, 2059–2068 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1766-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1766-x

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