Transgender women in Kenya experience greater stigma, depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug use and risky sexual practices than cis-gendered men who have sex with men.

Worldwide, sexual and gender minority individuals have disproportionate burden of HIV. There are limited quantitative data from sub-Saharan Africa on the intersection of risks experienced by transgender women (TGW) in comparison to cis-men who have sex with men (MSM). This analysis addresses this gap by comparing reported stigma, psychosocial measures of health, and sexual risk practices between TGW and cis-MSM in Kenya. We analyzed data from the baseline visit of an ongoing prospective cohort study taking place in three diverse metropolitan areas. Eligible participants were HIV-negative, assigned male at birth, ages 18-29 years, and reported anal intercourse in the past 3 months with a man or TGW. Data collected by audio computer assisted self-interview included sociodemographic measures, and sexual practices occurring in the past 3 months. Multivariable regressions assessed differences between TGW and cis-MSM in selected sexual practices, depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug use, and stigma. From September, 2019, through May, 2021, 838 participants were enrolled: 108 (12.9%) TGW and 730 (87.1%) cis-MSM. Adjusting for sociodemographic variables, TGW were more likely than cis-MSM to report: receptive anal intercourse (RAI; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.32 - 1.92), engaging in group sex (aPR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.27), 4 or more male sex partners (aPR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.52 - 4.35), and 3 or more paying male sex partners (aPR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04 - 2.39). TGW were also more likely to report moderate to severe depressive symptoms (aPR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.55), and had similar alcohol and drug abuse scores as cis-MSM. In sensitivity analysis, similar to TGW, male-identifying individuals taking feminizing gender affirming therapy had an increased likelihood of reporting RAI and group sex, and greater numbers of male sex partners and paying male sex partners relative to cis-MSM. Across three metropolitan areas in Kenya, TGW were more likely to report depressive symptoms and increased sexual risk taking. We identified a need for research that better characterizes the range of gender identities. Our analysis affirms the need for programmatic gender-affirming interventions specific to transgender populations in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.

Mehta SD ，Otieno FO ，Kimani J ，Wahome E ，Okal D ，Roy A ，van der Elst E ，Graham SM ，Sanders EJ ，Bailey RC ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

Associations of gender identity with sexual behaviours, social stigma and sexually transmitted infections among adults who have sex with men in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.

Sexual and gender minority populations are disproportionately affected by the global syndemic of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We hypothesized that transgender women (TGW) and non-binary individuals in Nigeria have more STIs than cis-gender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM), and that experiences of stigma and sexual practices differ between these three groups. From 2013 to 2020, TRUST/RV368 enrolled adults assigned male sex at birth who reported anal sex with men in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Participants were tested for STIs and completed questionnaires about sexual behaviours and social stigma every 3 months. Participants were categorized as cis-MSM, TGW or non-binary/other based on self-reported gender identity. Gender group comparisons were made of HIV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia prevalence and incidence; stigma indicators; and condom use during anal sex. Among 2795 participants, there were 2260 (80.8%) cis-MSM, 284 (10.2%) TGW and 251 (9.0%) non-binary/other individuals with median age of 23 years (interquartile range 20-27). HIV prevalence among cis-MSM, TGW and non-binary/other participants was 40.8%, 51.5% and 47.6%, respectively (p = 0.002). HIV incidence was 8.7 cases per 100 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.9-10.8), 13.1 cases/100 PY (95% CI 6.5-23.4) and 17.6 cases/100 PY (95% CI 9.8-29.0, p = 0.025), respectively. Anorectal gonorrhoea incidence was lower in cis-MSM than TGW (22.2 [95% CI 19.6-25.0] vs. 35.9 [95% CI 27.3-46.3]). TGW were more likely than cis-MSM to report being affected by stigma, including assault (47.2% vs. 32.3%), fear of walking around (32.4% vs. 19.2%) and healthcare avoidance (25.0% vs. 19.1%; all p < 0.05). TGW were more likely to report always using condoms than non-binary/other individuals (35.3% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.041) during receptive anal sex. Sexual and gender minorities in Nigeria have heterogeneous sexual behaviours and experiences of social stigma that may influence the vulnerability to HIV and other STIs. There is a need for tailored interventions that acknowledge and are informed by gender. Further research is needed, particularly among understudied non-binary individuals, to better understand disparities and inform tailored interventions to improve outcomes among these communities.

LeeVan E ，Hu F ，Mitchell AB ，Kokogho A ，Adebajo S ，Garges EC ，Qian H ，Ake JA ，Robb ML ，Charurat ME ，Baral SD ，Nowak RG ，Crowell TA ，TRUST/RV368 Study Group ... -  《Journal of the International AIDS Society》

HIV care cascade and associated factors among men who have sex with men, transgender women, and genderqueer individuals in Zimbabwe: findings from a biobehavioural survey using respondent-driven sampling.

Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, and genderqueer individuals are at greater risk for HIV than the general population although little data are available from these groups in Zimbabwe, a country with a national adult HIV prevalence of 12·9%. We aimed to examine progress towards the UNAIDS 90-90-90 treatment targets and factors associated with meeting the targets among a sample of MSM, transgender women, and genderqueer individuals in Zimbabwe. In this cross-sectional survey in 2019, we used respondent-driven sampling to identify MSM, transgender women, and genderqueer individuals aged at least 18 years to participate in a biobehavioural survey in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Participants were eligible to participate if they were assigned male at birth; had engaged in anal or oral sex with a man in the past 12 months; resided in Harare or Bulawayo for at least 1 month; spoke English, Shona, or Ndebele; provided written informed consent; and were in possession of a valid recruitment coupon if applicable. Enrolled participants completed a questionnaire and underwent HIV testing, and off-site viral load testing was done on all HIV-positive samples. Unweighted bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic, behavioural, and other factors with HIV-positive status awareness among MSM, transgender women, and genderqueer individuals, and with viral load suppression among MSM. Analyses were done firstly using self-reported information and then by classifying those with a viral load of less than 200 copies per mL as being aware of their status and on treatment (viral load recategorisation). Among MSM, 248 (21%; 95% CI 19-24) of 1176 tested positive for HIV. Of those who tested positive, based on self-report, 119 (48%; 95% CI 42-54) reported knowing their HIV status, of whom 112 (94%; 88-98) reported using antiretroviral therapy (ART), of whom 89 (79%; 71-87) had viral load suppression. Based on viral load recategorisation, 180 (73%; 67-78) of 248 MSM testing HIV positive reported knowing their HIV status, of whom 174 (97%; 93-99) reported using ART, of whom 151 (87%; 81-91) had viral load suppression. 92 (28%; 23-33) of 335 transgender women and genderqueer individuals tested positive for HIV. Based on self-reports from these individuals 34 (37%; 27-48) of 92 participants reported knowing their HIV status, of whom 31 (91%; 76-98) reported using ART, of whom 27 (87%; 70-96%) had viral load suppression. Based on viral load recategorisation of data from transgender women and genderqueer participants, 53 (58%; 47-58) of 92 reported awareness of their HIV status, of whom 50 (94%; 84-99) reported using ART, of whom 46 (92%; 81-98) had viral load suppression. HIV-positive MSM aged 18-24 years had lower odds of being aware of their status than those aged at least 35 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0·34; 95% CI 0·13-0·92), as did HIV-positive MSM aged 25-34 years (aOR 0·26; 0·12-0·56). HIV-positive MSM aged 18-24 years also had a lower odds of having viral load suppression than those aged 35 years and older (aOR 0·35; 0·16-0·78), as did those aged 25-34 years (aOR 0·36; 0·19-0·67). No factors were significantly associated with awareness among transgender women and genderqueer individuals in multivariable models. Our survey showed that HIV prevalence was high and the largest difference between our results and the 90-90-90 treatment targets was in HIV status awareness, indicating the need for improvements in engaging MSM (especially young MSM), transgender women, and genderqueer individuals in HIV testing services. US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Harris TG ，Wu Y ，Parmley LE ，Musuka G ，Mapingure MP ，Chingombe I ，Mugurungi O ，Hakim A ，Gozhora P ，Miller SS ，Lamb MR ，Samba C ，Rogers JH ... -  《Lancet HIV》

Individual and partnership characteristics associated with consistent condom use in a cohort of cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women in Nigeria.

Olawore O ，Crowell TA ，Ketende SC ，Ramadhani HO ，Liu H ，Ake JA ，Kokogho A ，Adebajo S ，Charurat ME ，Nowak RG ，Baral SD ，TRUST/RV368 Study Group ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

Stigma and HIV service access among transfeminine and gender diverse women in South Africa - a narrative analysis of longitudinal qualitative data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial.

de Villiers L ，Thomas A ，Jivan D ，Hoddinott G ，Hargreaves JR ，Bond V ，Stangl A ，Bock P ，Reynolds L ，HPTN 071 (PopART) study team ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》