Distinguishing trans women in men who have sex with men populations and their health access in East Africa: A Tanzanian study
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Distinguishing trans women in men who have sex with men populations and their health access in East Africa: A Tanzanian study | |
| Creator | Kashiha, John Ross, Michael Rider, Nic | |
| Description | Background: Few data are available on the presence and characteristics of transgender populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which makes the provision of health services for key populations difficult.Aim: This study aimed to ascertain the presence and characteristics of trans women in seven cities in Tanzania, East Africa.Setting: Tanzania, East Africa.Methods: Outreach to men who have sex with men (MSM) in seven large cities in Tanzania was carried out by non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff familiar with this community. Survey questions administered via interviews were used to identify participants who self-identify as trans. From the self-identification data, an estimate of the relative size of the trans women population in this sample was calculated.Results: In the sample of 300 participants, 17.0% of participants were identified as ‘transsexual or transgender’ (survey wording); 70.1% of these trans participants indicated that they identify themselves as a woman. Of those identifying themselves as transsexual or transgender, 43.1% reported living part- or full-time as a woman and eight (15.0%) reported hormone use. The highest percentage of hormone use (40.0%) was found in those living as a woman full-time. Notably, there was significant ignorance amongst the sample of the terms ‘transsexual and transgender’ or their explanation in Swahili, reported by interviewers.Conclusion: In this study, it is clear that trans women populations exist in Tanzania, with high levels of stigmatisation and threats to their lives. They should be included in health outreach and services to key populations. One in six self-identified as trans women, although the lack of knowledge of this concept in Swahili or English may have inaccurately represented numbers. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2022-08-11 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3428 | |
| Source | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; Vol 14, No 1 (2022); 8 pages 2071-2936 2071-2928 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3428/5495
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3428/5496
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3428/5497
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3428/5498
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