Network Characteristics Associated with HIV Testing Conversations Among Transgender Women in Los Angeles County, California

This study examined associations between transgender women’s social network characteristics, perceived network member HIV risk/protective behaviors and HIV testing conversations between transgender women and their network members. From July 2015 to September 2016, 264 transgender women who nominated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS and behavior 2021-08, Vol.25 (8), p.2336-2347
Main Authors: Blair, Cheríe S., Holloway, Ian W., Fletcher, Jesse B., Reback, Cathy J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Disease prevention
Drug abuse
Health Psychology
Health risks
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Infectious Diseases
Medical tests
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Original Paper
Prophylaxis
Public Health
Risk
Risk perception
Risk taking
Social behavior
Social networks
Social organization
Stimulants
Transgender persons
Women
Womens health
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Summary:This study examined associations between transgender women’s social network characteristics, perceived network member HIV risk/protective behaviors and HIV testing conversations between transgender women and their network members. From July 2015 to September 2016, 264 transgender women who nominated 2529 social network members completed surveys on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV risk/protective behaviors, and egocentric social networks. Mixed-effects logistic regression evaluated discussion of HIV testing with network member characteristics and perceived HIV risk/protective behaviors. HIV testing conversations were positively associated with being named as a trans “mother” (aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.03–4.06) relationships of longer duration, and the following network member characteristics: perception as a confidant (3.09; 1.89–5.05), discussion of condom use (29.65; 16.75–52.49), knowledge of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (4.14; 2.11–8.15), and receipt of HIV testing (22.13; 11.47–42.69). HIV testing conversations were negatively associated with relationships where stimulants were used (aOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.12–0.84). These results indicate the importance of leveraging close relationship networks to increase HIV testing and the potential role for network-based HIV prevention strategies among transgender women.
ISSN:1090-7165
1573-3254
DOI:10.1007/s10461-021-03196-x