Sociodemographic and clinical follow-up profile of transgender people accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis for the risk of HIV transmission in São Paulo, Brazil (2018-2021)

Abstract

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical follow-up profile of the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV among transgender people receiving care at a reference health service for sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS in São Paulo, the capital city of São Paulo state, between 2018 and 2021.

Method: This was a descriptive study with an analysis of sociodemographic data, reasons for seeking PrEP , discontinuation of use and experiences of clinical follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results: Among the 53 individuals, the majority were mixed-race (n= 25), transgender women (n= 48), heterosexual (n= 38) and had more than 11 years of study (n= 22). There was a decrease in follow-up visits (n= 14 to n= 3) after the second medical consultation.

Conclusion: It is necessary to develop strategies to increase PrEP dispensing and continuation among transgender people, especially among Black people and those with lower level of education.

Main results: The majority of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users were young, mixed-race, educated transgender women, reflecting a portion of the transgender population with access to healthcare. The discontinuation of clinical follow-up, especially after the second medical consultation, requires attention.

Implications for services: Individualized strategies should be prioritized to improve the dispensing of PrEP and clinical follow-up for both transgender men and transgender women.

Perspectives: Further research should focus on investigation of strategies to increase PrEP dispensing and clinical follow-up for transgender people, with an emphasis on transgender men, Black people and those with lower level of education.