Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan
Abstract Background Transgender (TG) people are key drivers for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) all over the world. There is substantial evidence that STIs are associated with an increased likelihood of risky sexual behavior however little is known about the prevalence of STIs (HIV, HBV, HCV,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08591-4 |
| _version_ | 1827635408716955648 |
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| author | Hasnain Javed Abida Bano Warda Fatima Rimsha Khan Asma Akhtar |
| author_facet | Hasnain Javed Abida Bano Warda Fatima Rimsha Khan Asma Akhtar |
| author_sort | Hasnain Javed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Transgender (TG) people are key drivers for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) all over the world. There is substantial evidence that STIs are associated with an increased likelihood of risky sexual behavior however little is known about the prevalence of STIs (HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis) among HIV infected transgender population in Pakistan. Methods The current study investigated the seroprevalence of four STIs and associated socio-demographic risk factors among TGs of Punjab, Pakistan from July 2019 to June 2021. The samples were tested serologically and final confirmation was done through PCR for HIV, HBV, and HCV. Results A total of 1,562 transgenders cross-sectional descriptive records of the Punjab AIDS Control Program (PACP) were reviewed during the period from July 2019 to June 2021. The serological results evidenced that 533 (34.1%) had one pathogen, 309 (19.8%) had two or more (multiple) infections. The most predominant mono-infection among the transgender population was Syphilis 324 (20.7%) followed by HCV 114 (7.3%), HIV 69 (4.4%), and HBV 26 (1.7%). The highest proportions of Infections were found in TG residing in urban areas (68.6%) as compared to rural areas (31.4%). The seropositivity of all STIs was predominantly increased in Sex worker TGs i-e 55%, 46.5%, 38.5%, and 41.8% in HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis respectively. Among 280 HIV-infected Transgender, 177 (63.2%) had Syphilis co-infections. While 87 (31%) and 47 (16.8%) HIV-infected individuals had HC and HBV co-infection respectively. Conclusion Transgender is neglected population group in society. All STIs were predominantly common among sex worker transgenders, Illiterate educational groups, and TGs residing in urban areas. There is a need to spread awareness about STIs, preventive strategies, and facilitation to health care programs in this high-risk population group. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:27:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-73ac3b16c5134645a4515cedceac3f51 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:27:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-73ac3b16c5134645a4515cedceac3f512023-11-26T12:28:04ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342023-09-012311610.1186/s12879-023-08591-4Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of PakistanHasnain Javed0Abida Bano1Warda Fatima2Rimsha Khan3Asma Akhtar4Provincial Public Health Reference Lab, Punjab AIDS Control ProgramProvincial Public Health Reference Lab, Punjab AIDS Control ProgramInstitute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the PunjabProvincial Public Health Reference Lab, Punjab AIDS Control ProgramInstitute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the PunjabAbstract Background Transgender (TG) people are key drivers for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) all over the world. There is substantial evidence that STIs are associated with an increased likelihood of risky sexual behavior however little is known about the prevalence of STIs (HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis) among HIV infected transgender population in Pakistan. Methods The current study investigated the seroprevalence of four STIs and associated socio-demographic risk factors among TGs of Punjab, Pakistan from July 2019 to June 2021. The samples were tested serologically and final confirmation was done through PCR for HIV, HBV, and HCV. Results A total of 1,562 transgenders cross-sectional descriptive records of the Punjab AIDS Control Program (PACP) were reviewed during the period from July 2019 to June 2021. The serological results evidenced that 533 (34.1%) had one pathogen, 309 (19.8%) had two or more (multiple) infections. The most predominant mono-infection among the transgender population was Syphilis 324 (20.7%) followed by HCV 114 (7.3%), HIV 69 (4.4%), and HBV 26 (1.7%). The highest proportions of Infections were found in TG residing in urban areas (68.6%) as compared to rural areas (31.4%). The seropositivity of all STIs was predominantly increased in Sex worker TGs i-e 55%, 46.5%, 38.5%, and 41.8% in HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis respectively. Among 280 HIV-infected Transgender, 177 (63.2%) had Syphilis co-infections. While 87 (31%) and 47 (16.8%) HIV-infected individuals had HC and HBV co-infection respectively. Conclusion Transgender is neglected population group in society. All STIs were predominantly common among sex worker transgenders, Illiterate educational groups, and TGs residing in urban areas. There is a need to spread awareness about STIs, preventive strategies, and facilitation to health care programs in this high-risk population group.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08591-4TransgenderSexually transmitted diseasesHCVHBVSyphilis |
| spellingShingle | Hasnain Javed Abida Bano Warda Fatima Rimsha Khan Asma Akhtar Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan BMC Infectious Diseases Transgender Sexually transmitted diseases HCV HBV Syphilis |
| title | Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan |
| title_full | Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan |
| title_short | Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of Pakistan |
| title_sort | sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among the transgender population of pakistan |
| topic | Transgender Sexually transmitted diseases HCV HBV Syphilis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08591-4 |
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