Factors Associated With Health Care Utilization Among Transgender Adults in Brazil

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Health Equity

Background:

• Healthcare access for transgender populations remains a global concern.
• Understanding specific utilization patterns in diverse national contexts is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate medical and dental service utilization among transgender Brazilians.
• To identify sociodemographic and experiential factors associated with healthcare access.

Main Methods:

• A national cross-sectional survey of 549 transgender adults in Brazil (2021).
• Data collected via electronic questionnaire on service use and associated factors.
• Statistical analysis using logistic regression to determine odds ratios.

Main Results:

• Public school attendees, those with no income, and public health system users were more likely to have semiannual medical consultations.
• Public school attendees, lower educational attainment (≤9 years), unemployment, and gender-based violence were linked to infrequent dental visits.

Conclusions:

• Transgender Brazilians predominantly utilize the public health system, with regular medical but infrequent dental appointments.
• Lower education, unemployment, lack of income, and gender-based violence present significant barriers to equitable healthcare access.