Implementation Strategies for Creating Inclusive, All-Women HIV Care Environments: Perspectives From Trans and Cis...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gender Studies
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Transgender women face disproportionately high HIV acquisition rates in the U.S.
• Existing HIV care often misgenders transgender women by grouping them with men, ignoring shared psychosocial factors with cisgender women.
• This leads to invisibility and inadequate services for transgender women in HIV prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility and desirability of creating inclusive, all-women HIV care environments.
• To identify strategies for affirming transgender women's gender identity within HIV services.
• To address the lack of culturally appropriate and gender-affirming HIV care for transgender women.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving focus groups and interviews with 38 women living with HIV and 5 providers.
• Data collected between April 2016 and January 2017.
• Thematic analysis of transcripts to identify key themes regarding inclusive care models.

Main Results:

• Participants proposed concrete strategies for inclusive care, including representation, community input, education, and clinic environment adjustments.
• Emphasis was placed on addressing trauma and ensuring safety and gender affirmation.
• Both transgender and cisgender women expressed positive reception to the concept of all-women's HIV care.

Conclusions:

• Inclusive, all-women HIV care settings are perceived as attractive and practical by both transgender and cisgender women.
• Despite cultural and structural challenges, these environments offer a promising model for improving HIV care.
• Affirming gender identity and ensuring safety are critical components for effective HIV services for transgender women.