Principle Investigator(s):
Funder: National Institute of Mental Health
Project period: 08/03/2018 - 08/02/2019
Grant Type: Pilot Project
Abstract Text:
Research on HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk and prevention among transmasculine individuals is scarce. Transmasculine individuals include persons assigned a female sex at birth who selfidentify as men or male (i.e., transgender men) or a non-binary gender identity along the transmasculine spectrum (e.g., genderqueer). The few studies on the topic show that transmasculine individuals are at risk of acquiring HIV and STIs from sexual risk behaviors with sexual partners of various genders and sexual orientations, participation in sex work, and exposure to sexual violence. As a group, transmasculine individuals of color are disproportionately affected by HIV, with over 75% of all new HIV cases among transgender men occurring among racial/ethnic minorities. Moreover, a few studies suggest that transmasculine individuals of color may be at higher risk of STIs compared to their white counterparts. Despite their risk of HIV and STI, very few studies have specifically examined transmasculine individuals’ experiences accessing and utilizing sexual health care, including HIV and STI testing. The few studies that have examined sexual health care among transmasculine individuals have relied on predominately white samples and focused solely on adults. Additionally, while research shows that social factors at the individual, interpersonal, and structural levels are key determinants of health care, there is a dearth of data on how social determinants of health at multiple levels influence HIV and STI testing among transmasculine individuals. Thus, guided by intersectionality and the social ecological model, we will conduct a concurrent mixed-methods pilot study that addresses the following three specific aims in a sample of Black, Latinx, Asian, and Native transmasculine individuals aged 18-35 years (henceforth, young adult transmasculine individuals of color). Using surveys (N=200) and focus group discussions (N=4; n=32), we will: (1) examine the association between social, economic, and health care factors at the individual, interpersonal, and structural level and HIV and STI testing among young adult transmasculine individuals of color; (2) explore the HIV and STI testing experiences of young adult transmasculine individuals of color in relation to structural- and interpersonal-level health care factors; and (3) triangulate quantitative and qualitative research findings and develop a new conceptual model of the multilevel determinants of HIV and STI testing among young adult transmasculine individuals of color. This innovative study will generate pilot data for a R21 grant application that examines the multilevel determinants of HIV and STI testing among young adult transmasculine individuals nationwide, both across and within racial/ethnic groups.
