This study states that Transgender women in the United States experience stigma and discrimination in many aspects of life, including healthcare, employment, and housing [1, 2]. These experiences are strongly associated with behaviors and conditions that increase the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as sex work and condomless sex [3, 4]. The estimated prevalence of HIV among transgender women in the United States (14.2%) is higher than other vulnerable populations such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (10.6%) [4, 5]. HIV infection prevalence is particularly high among Black or African American transgender women, with almost one-half of Black or African American transgender women living with HIV (44.2%) [4].
National guidelines recommend STI testing for sexually active people with HIV, including transgender women, at least annually [6]. However, there are few data sources or studies that report on this topic. Until 2018, gender identity was not routinely reported in US STI surveillance systems; the limited availability of data reduces the ability to accurately characterize the STI testing and burden among transgender women [7]. In a meta-analysis of STIs and HIV among transgender women, 5 US studies reported gonorrhea and chlamydia prevalence to range from 2% to 13% and 1.4% to 21% for syphilis.
Reference link- https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/73/5/899/6134775
