HIV prevalence among a retrospective clinical cohort of transgender women in Canada: Results of the Montreal-Toronto Trans study, collected 2018–2019

Abstract

Background HIV prevalence data among transgender (trans) people are not routinely collected in national estimates, including Canada, contributing to gender-based inequities. We examined HIV prevalence and associated factors among trans women in clinical care in two large Canadian cities. Methods Retrospective chart data of trans women aged 16+ were collected from six family medicine and/or HIV clinics in Montreal and Toronto, Canada, 2018–2019. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with documented HIV positive or missing HIV status relative to documented HIV negative status. Results Among 1,059 patients, 7.5% were HIV positive, 54.4% HIV negative, and 38.1% missing HIV data. Findings showed lower odds of being HIV positive for those <30 years or 30–50 years (vs. >50 years); higher odds were seen for those: of Black race/ethnicity (vs. white), landed immigrant or refugee (vs. Canadian citizen), receiving social assistance (vs. not), and whom ever having used recreational drugs. Conclusions Albeit high, the prevalence of HIV was lower than expected based on global estimates. Missing HIV status data suggest gaps in testing. Findings highlight socioeconomic and clinical realities among trans women in Canada and inform future HIV prevention and support.