Abstract

Seroprevalence and incidence study of HIVin transgender in Argentina, 2007

J.A. Sotelo¹, C.P. Baudracco<sup>2

1</sup>Asociacion Travestis Transexuales y Transgénero de Argentina (ATTTA), Asesoria Tecnica (Technical Advising), Ciudad Autonoma, Argentina, ²Asociacion Travestis Transexuales y Transgénero de Argentina (ATTTA), Coordinacion (Coordination), Ciudad Autonoma, Argentina

Background: To determine the incidence and seroprevalence of HIV in Transgender and its association with risk behaviour at a national level.
To analyze the social, demographic, cultural and health service aspects that corresponds to the Transgender population.
Contribute to future preventive measures and work together with NGO's to strengthen lines of action.
Methods: We included people that gave assent in 12 Argentine provinces who answered a structured questionnaire. They received pre-HIV test counseling and realized serology. We assured anonymity by the utilization of a barcode.
For calculating the incidence was applied the STARHS algorithm - I = (n / m + n)) x (365.25 / T) x100.
Results: We analyzed data from 441 surveyed: 152 positive cases (P) confirmed by Western Blot, 276 negative (N) and 13 indeterminate (I); Prevalence was 34.47% (95% CI 30.04-39.11).
80.73% of 276 N and 89.47% of the 152 P knew other sexually transmitted diseases (p = 0.019).
63.41% of N and 73.68% of P had used silicone injections (p = 0.03).
316/441 were sexual workers (SW), 119 (37.66%) were P 187 N and 10 I.
35,4% of SW used condom with his last client.
54.01% of SW N and 64.71% of SW P used drugs with clients (p = 0064).
Estimated incidence HIV was 11.14 per 100 person-years (95% CI 4.98 to 20.99).
The annual incidence was calculated using a window period of 170 days set for HIV-1 subtype B.
Conclusions: The prevalence was similar to the reported in other Transgender populations (USA, Canada) and was greater in the subgroup of Sexual workers. Knowledge of other sexually transmitted diseases and use of silicone injections were significantly associated with the positive condition (HIV+).
Vulnerability in sexual workers is associated with the increased consumption of alcohol, drugs, social discrimination and police violence.