AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #377 - Discrimination, depression and HIV risk among transgenders in India
Authors: Presenting Author: Dr. Swagata Banik - Baldwin Wallace College
Additional Authors: Dr. Leslie Fisher, Dr. Maninder Setia, Mr. Vivek Anand,
Aim: Recent data indicates that HIV infection is disproportionately higher among Transgender population (locally known as Hijra) in India. Though there were multiple HIV risk reduction interventions targeting high risk groups (such as female sex workers, men attending STI clinics, injection drug users) relatively early on in the epidemic in India, transgenders were not targeted separately as a high risk group until recently. Given their unique sociocultural norms and practices, transgenders are often stigmatized. Studies investigating the nature and extent of stigma faced by transgenders, and impact of stigma on emotional health and HIV risk behavior are limited. We address this need. The intent of this study is to collect formative data to inform a transgender-specific stigma reduction intervention in India.
Method / Issue: This mixed methods study examined the experiences of discrimination and its impact on 50 transgenders recruited from four urban locations and one semi-urban location in India. Interviewer- administered surveys measured demographics, CES-D, alcohol use, HIV risk behavior, and incidence of discrimination experienced, while in-depth interviews (n=15) captured the nature and extent of discrimination experienced by the participants.
Results / Comments: The participants report experiencing discrimination from multiple sectors of society, including drugstore, health care providers, law enforcement officers and sexual partners. The nature and extent of discrimination reported by the participants include being ignored, verbal and physical abuse, intentional delay of service and sexual coercion. Sixty two percent report symptoms of depression (CES-D) accompanied by alcohol abuse. Condom use was inconsistent with almost 20% reporting never using condom. Experience of discrimination was positively and significantly correlated with depression (r = 0.707, p = 0.001.) Finally, almost 50% of the participants report never testing for HIV.
Discussion: These data demonstrate that transgenders experience a high level of discrimination in India. Discrimination may not only adversely affect psychological well-being but may also promote HIV risk behavior among this vulnerable sub population. There is a clear need to develop transgender specific stigma-reduction interventions in India as part of a program of effective HIV prevention in India.
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