Perspectives on trans-specific sexual health needs based on a free anonymous Online HIV/STI Risk Test (ORT) survey in Germany

A meta-analysis estimated the worldwide prevalence of HIV among transgender individuals at 19.1% and found a 48.8-fold increase in the odds of HIV infection compared with non-transgender adults of reproductive age.1 2 Despite such disparities, HIV and STI research has historically grouped transgenders with men who have sex with men (MSM) or excluded them from studies altogether, thus limiting the information available on the social and behavioural factors that increase HIV vulnerability among transindividuals and how these factors may differ from MSM.3 STIs are often associated with stigma, stereotyping, vulnerability and shame.4 Transindividuals face additional barriers to appropriate healthcare access as opposed to cisgender individuals and MSM, for example, requirement for medical interventions such as hormone therapy and/or surgery, paucity of knowledgeable health providers, real or perceived stigma and discrimination from individuals within the healthcare system, greater clinical depression, anxiety and somatisation,…

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