Transgender Latinas' Perspectives on HIV PrEP Uptake, Condom Use, and Medically Supervised Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: Insights From ChiCAS Qualitative Interviews.

Abstract

There is a dearth of HIV prevention behavioral interventions for transgender Latinas, despite this population's HIV risk. ChiCAS (Chicas Creando Acceso a la Salud) is an intervention to increase PrEP, condom, and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) use among transgender Latinas. To inform future work, semistructured interviews were conducted postintervention with 28 ChiCAS participants. Thematic analysis with inductive coding was used. Six themes emerged: (1) health-related priorities include sexual health and avoiding discrimination; (2) safe and collaborative community is of high importance; (3) interactive education with time for sharing stories and discussion was valued; (4) PrEP uptake was facilitated through awareness and health care navigation; (5) accessing GAHT depends on cost, clinic location, and individual goals; (6) ChiCAS could be improved with more PrEP/GAHT details and social connection. Interventions with goals similar to those of ChiCAS should prioritize building community, PrEP and GAHT education tailored to participants' needs, and emphasize health care options available locally.