Affiliation:
1. International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of HIV among Transgender is 1% while only 0.9% in Dhaka City having one-third times a lifetime higher risk of HIV infection. Being minority group barriers faced by transgenders for healthcare-seeking are major public health concerns.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study purposively selecting 135 transgender from Drop-in-center and three Hijra pollis of Dhaka City. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire containing a Likert scale regarding HIV-related knowledge.
Results: Majority were professional sex sellers including 54.1% having irregular sexual clients. 48.9% had been engaged in sex work for more than 10 years. Although more than half (57%) had good HIV-related knowledge. Only one-third (37.3%) sometimes used barrier method and more than half (58%) had knowledge of HIV symptoms. The barriers were negligence (16%), inconvenient location(12.43%), long waiting time(8.1%), and not knowing where to get the service (5.8%). Transgenders from DIC had higher HIV-related knowledge than hijra pollis [t (95% CI)=.168, p=.000] Those having HIV-related higher knowledge didn’t feel the necessity of isolated health corners [t (95% CI)= -3.799, p= .001]
Conclusion: Although DIC provides healthcare services but existing facilities barriers need to be addressed to extend health services.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
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