Transsexual Orientation in HIV Risk Behaviours in an Adult Male Prison

Abstract

The present study examined the consequences of being a self-reported transsexual male and HIV risk behaviours in a state penal system. The specific research question was whether or not sexual orientation of inmates influences the level to which they evidence HIV risk behaviours. A total of 153 participants volunteered to participate in the study of which 31 described themselves as being transsexual. Based on risk ratios and using transsexual inmates (TIs) as the reference group, they were 13.7 times more likely to have a main sex partner while in prison [95% CI=5.28, 35.58]. Moreover, TIs were 5.8 times more likely than non-transsexual inmates (NTIs) to report having more than one sex partner while in prison [95% CI=2.18, 15.54]. It is obvious from these findings that TIs require more preventive support than their NTI confederates. In addition to TIs being protected from assault and battery by NTIs, they need social support and carefully developed preventive informational materials.