Project Description

Author: Rahman et al.

Summary:

Background: The prevalence of HIV among Transgender is 1% while only 0.9% in Dhaka City, are at almost one-third times a lifetime higher risk of HIV infection. Being the minority group barriers faced by transgenders for healthcare-seeking behaviors are major public health concerns. Thus the study aims to find out the HIV-Related knowledge & Health Care Seeking Barriers among Transgender Individuals in Dhaka City.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where we selected 135 transgender from Badda Drop-in-center and three Hijra pollis (Kamlapur, Rampura, Mohakhali) of Dhaka City. 135 sample was selected purposively. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire containing a Likert scale regarding HIV-related knowledge Descriptive statistics was done using frequency, percentage and inferential statistics through chi-square and t-tests. Ethical clearance was taken from the IRB of NIPSOM.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.5 ± 7.8 years and 27.4% completed higher secondary education. Majority were professional sex sellers including 54.1% having irregular sexual clients. 48.9% had been engaged in sex work for more than 10 years. Although more than half (57%) had good HIV-related knowledge, only about one-third (37.3%) sometimes used any barrier method. More than half (58%) had knowledge of HIV symptoms and only 11% of those with symptoms sought treatment (8%) delaying <7 days. The barriers of existing facilities were negligence(16%), inconvenient location(12.43%), long waiting time(8.1%), not knowing where to get the service needed (5.8%). Those having HIV-related higher knowledge didn’t feel the necessity of isolated corners [t (95% CI)= -3.799, p= .001]

Conclusion: Transgender people from the drop-in-center had higher HIV-related knowledge Hijra pollis. Although DIC provides healthcare services but existing facilities barriers need to be addressed to extend health services for Transgender.

Keywords: Transgender, HIV-related Knowledge, Health Care Seeking, Barriers, Dhaka

Status: Ongoing

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