Profile of transvestites and transgender women: tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in the city of Sao Paulo

Objective. To characterize the profile of transvestites and transgender women participating in a survey regarding tuberculosis and HIV/Aids in the city of Sao Paulo. Method. This cross-sectional study employed the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaire adapted for data collection. Sociodemographic aspects as well as aspects related to history of imprisonment, process of gender transition, use of condoms, previous treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis and knowledge regarding HIV/Aids were addressed. Results. The study included 58 transvestites and 66 transgender women. There were differences between the two groups regarding schooling (P = 0.008), prostitution (P < 0.001), imprisonment (P < 0.001), silicone injections (P = 0.005), and hormone therapy without medical guidance (P = 0.004). All trans women (100%) and 80% of transvestites mentioned treatment of syphilis; 25.9% of transvestites reported tuberculosis/HIV co-infection. The investigation regarding knowledge of HIV/AIDS revealed inconsistent use of condoms and mistaken beliefs related to modes of transmission. Conclusion. The present results show that transvestites and trans women were vulnerable to tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The differences observed between the two groups suggest the need for different approaches to transvestites and transgender women in future studies.