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Identifying and Characterizing Trans Women in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study as an Epidemiologically Distinct Risk Group.
Huyen Nguyen1,2, Benjamin Hampel1,3, David Garcia Nuñez4
1Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Summary
Trans women in the Swiss HIV epidemic are an epidemiologically distinct group, often facing higher rates of psychological distress and unique transmission patterns. Further study is crucial to address the needs of this underserved population.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Trans women are disproportionately affected by HIV and remain understudied.
- The Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) provides a valuable dataset for characterizing this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize trans women within the SHCS.
- To understand the unique epidemiological, clinical, and behavioral profiles of trans women in the context of HIV.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of criteria from pre-existing cohort data to identify trans women.
- Collected data on socioeconomic factors, clinical data, risk behaviors, and mental health.
- Analyzed phylogenetic patterns within HIV transmission networks.
Main Results:
- Identified 89 trans women among 20,925 participants.
- Trans women were more likely to be of Asian and Hispanic ethnicity compared to MSM and cis HET women.
- Trans women showed similarities to cis HET women in education but to MSM in prior syphilis diagnosis and HIV transmission networks.
- Higher rates of prior psychological hospitalization were observed in trans women.
Conclusions:
- Trans women represent an epidemiologically distinct group within the Swiss HIV epidemic.
- There is a need for better identification and targeted studies to serve this underserved risk group effectively.
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