New Study Finds that Supportive Adults Are Key to Reducing HIV Among Transgender Youth

BOSTON, April 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new study published today in the journal Pediatrics found that high rates of HIV transmission among transgender youth may be reduced through interventions that include training on how to provide gender-affirming care for health care practitioners working with adolescents; the inclusion of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and definitions of sex and sexual activity in sexual health education; and making it easier and more affordable for transgender youth to access health care. Data were collected during two, three-day asynchronous focus groups of 30 transgender youth age 13-24 from all regions of the United States.

"This study fills a critical gap in knowledge in how to design HIV prevention services for transgender youth who face complex social and structural inequalities in health care and education and experience higher rates of HIV as a result," said Holly B. Fontenot, PhD, PhD, RN/NP, FAAN, the lead author of the study and an associate professor of nursing at Boston College and adjunct faculty at The Fenway Institute. "Of particular interest is the unique role that parents, teachers, and school nurses have in the HIV prevention experiences of transgender youth."

Focus group participants who said their parents were supportive of their sexuality, gender identity, and sexual activity also said that they were more likely to receive appropriate sexual health information. But most reported that their parents would not use transgender-friendly terms when discussing their romantic relationships and said that they wished their parents and guardians would obtain the skills and knowledge to provide more and better support.

Youth repeatedly expressed the desire for sexual health education to be inclusive of sexual and gender minorities. They said that they wanted sexual health education with "gender neutral language, representation of different types of relationships, and information/statistics on LGBT health." They also said that they wanted instruction from adults who could facilitate "open, honest discussion" while also acknowledging the "silliness of the topic without invalidating how important the information is." Participants frequently asserted that sexual assault and consent should be a part of curricula.

"It's evident that health care providers, including school nurses who are skilled in caring for transgender youth, can be important sources of support for transgender youth," said Sean Cahill, PhD, a co-author of the study and the Director of Health Policy Research at The Fenway Institute. "For example, school nurses can support youth in school but also work with community partners to develop educational resource lists for youth and their parents and guardians."

Other major findings in the study include:

• Transgender youth report significant barriers to self-efficacy in sexual decision-making, with a majority describing communication with their romantic/sexual partner as challenging. One said, "I almost never ask for things because of what I think is internal pressure to be grateful. In my head, I'm like 'they're already willing to have sex with me, I shouldn't push my luck.'"
• Transgender youth report concerns related to fear and safety in forming romantic and/or sexual relationships, noting that they had been harassed on social media and dating apps. Some participants said that dating as a transgender person is "scary as hell."
• Transgender youth report that they understood the importance of HIV testing but that the costs of tests and fear of exposing their sexual activity and gender identity to parents were barriers to testing.
• Transgender youth report many negative experiences with health care providers. One described a provider who did not understand "the difference between gender and sexual orientation." Another reported that a provider said that sex "isn't really sex if you're both girls." Most reported fear of encounters with disrespectful and uninformed providers."
• Transgender youth report that they routinely accessed educational resources and social support online. However, one noted, "many teens aren't equipped to determine which sources are reputable and which ones aren't." Another mentioned, "porn [pornography] was [their] biggest teacher," and others agreed.

The study, titled "Transgender youth's experiences and perspectives related to HIV preventive services," was authored by researchers at The Fenway Institute, Boston College, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health Johns, and NORC, University of Chicago. The study provides insight into transgender youth's experiences. Results will inform development and testing of affirming, culturally competent, and youth-driven HIV prevention tools and educational resources for adults who provide healthcare and support services for transgender youth.

About Fenway Health & The Fenway Institute

Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhoods, the LGBTQ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues.

SOURCE Fenway Health