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. 2021 Aug;25(8):2336-2347.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03196-x. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

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

Cheríe S Blair  1 , Ian W Holloway  2 , Jesse B Fletcher  3 , Cathy J Reback  3   4
Affiliations

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

Cheríe S Blair et al. AIDS Behav. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: HIV testing; PrEP; Social networks; Stimulant use; Transgender women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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