Sociodemographic and clinical follow-up profile of transgender people accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis for the risk of HIV transmission in São Paulo, Brazil (2018-2021).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the sociodemographic and clinical follow-up profile of the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV among transgender people receiving care at a reference health service for sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS in São Paulo, the capital city of São Paulo state, between 2018 and 2021.

METHOD

This was a descriptive study with an analysis of sociodemographic data, reasons for seeking PrEP , discontinuation of use and experiences of clinical follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS

Among the 53 individuals, the majority were mixed-race (n= 25), transgender women (n= 48), heterosexual (n= 38) and had more than 11 years of study (n= 22). There was a decrease in follow-up visits (n= 14 to n= 3) after the second medical consultation.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to develop strategies to increase PrEP dispensing and continuation among transgender people, especially among Black people and those with lower level of education.

MAIN RESULTS

The majority of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users were young, mixed-race, educated transgender women, reflecting a portion of the transgender population with access to healthcare. The discontinuation of clinical follow-up, especially after the second medical consultation, requires attention.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES

Individualized strategies should be prioritized to improve the dispensing of PrEP and clinical follow-up for both transgender men and transgender women.

PERSPECTIVES

Further research should focus on investigation of strategies to increase PrEP dispensing and clinical follow-up for transgender people, with an emphasis on transgender men, Black people and those with lower level of education.