HIV Testing and Entry to Care Among Trans Women in Indiana

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Science
• Health Equity

Background:

• Transgender women in the U.S. experience disproportionately high rates of HIV infection.
• Understanding early HIV Care Continuum experiences for trans women is crucial for improving services.
• Indiana presents unique challenges due to moderate HIV incidence and limited public health resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the circumstances influencing HIV testing and entry to care among trans women living with HIV in Central Indiana.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to entering HIV care for this population.
• To explore motivators for entering HIV care after initial delays.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• In-depth interviews with 18 trans women living with HIV in Central Indiana.
• Content analysis of interview data to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Social relationships significantly impact trans women's HIV care experiences.
• Stigma, discrimination, and adverse life circumstances act as major deterrents to seeking and entering HIV care.
• Motivators for care entry included personal health concerns and support from social networks.

Conclusions:

• Addressing stigma and discrimination is essential for improving HIV service engagement for trans women.
• Public health initiatives should consider the role of social support and adverse life events in HIV care access.
• Policy and practice changes are needed to reduce barriers and improve the HIV Care Continuum for transgender women.