HIV infection

In this analysis, the Maastricht researchers examined all 98 studies published between 2000 and 2019 on HIV prevalence among transgender people. This represents the largest collection of research data that has ever been analysed on the subject, comprising information on 50,000 trans people. The study shows that 19.9 percent of all trans women surveyed tested HIV positive, as did just under three percent of trans men. Compared to the rest of the population aged 15 and above, trans women are no less than 66 times more likely to get HIV, and trans men almost seven times more likely. ‘We already knew that trans women are significantly more likely to get HIV, but this is the first time we have been able to show that trans men are also more likely to be infected,’ says research leader Sarah Stutterheim. ‘Our analyses also show that trans people in Latin America and southern Africa are in a particularly vulnerable position. We therefore need not only to ensure that HIV prevention is geared to trans women and trans men, but also to tackle the wider social vulnerability of trans people.’

Stigmatisation

It is precisely in view of the vulnerable social position of transgender people worldwide that the researchers are calling for greater attention to be paid to this specific group with regard to HIV prevention. This includes improving knowledge among transgender people about HIV, and among healthcare professionals about transgender people. In addition, the research team advocates expanding access to the preventive drug PrEP. Continuous monitoring is necessary to determine the extent to which the use of PrEP can affect the rate of HIV infection among transgender people. ‘For trans people, HIV prevention is not just a matter of information and PrEP, but also of tackling stigma,’ says Sophie Schers of Transgender Network Netherlands. ‘We want to see rapid research on trans people’s access to PrEP and to STI surgeries run by the public health service in the Netherlands. If stigma is an obstacle, the onus is on municipalities to take action.’ HIV is a sensitive subject for many trans people, says Dinah Bons of the activist network Trans United Europe. ‘There is still a large group of trans people who find it hard to talk about sexuality in relation to gender identity. Stigmatisation and transphobia in society play an important role in this.’