Vulnerabilities, health needs and access to health services of transvestites, transexual and transgender population of the State of São Paulo

Abstract

The so-called sexual minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) share various degrees of non-compliance with the biological sex or hegemonic sexual patterns, and therefore, are victims of stigma and discrimination , which adversely affects their health. To this sexuality related stigma, the HIV/Aids epidemic associated stigma related to the disease itself, further increasing the vulnerability of this population group. In Brazil, studies have revealed barriers in access to health care of the transvestites, transexual and transgender, indicating difficulties in the dialogue between these groups and the health services resulting in their low adherence to services and treatment, both in primary as well as in specialized care, such as the use of hormones and sex reassignment surgery. There is a lack of population studies among transvestites, transexual and transgender, little is known about their level of education, professional qualifications or presence in the labor market, beyond the prostitution. Transvestites, transexual and transgender are characterized as a hard-to-reach population, and the challenges in conducting research among them include: the unknown size of the population, and especially their reluctance or distrust to participate in research. This project aims to characterize the vulnerabilities that expose the population of transvestites, transexual and transgender who are reached through health or social services, to HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis, B and C. The approach combines quantitative and qualitative methodology. Initially, a survey will be carried out among transvestites, transexual and transgender people, who attend or are reached through health or social services of the municipalities of São Paulo, Santo André, São Bernardo, Diadema, Santos, Campinas, Piracicaba and São José do Rio Preto. Tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C will be offered. In the second phase in-depth interviews will be conducted among a sub-sample. (AU)