Physical examination for the detection of sexually transmitted infections among transgender women and travestis in Brazil: acceptability and associated factors.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the acceptability and factors associated with uptake of a physical examination for the detection of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by transgender women and travestis in Brazil.

Methods: TransOdara was a multi-centric, cross-sectional STI prevalence study conducted among transgender women and travestis in five capital cities (Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador and São Paulo) representing all Brazilian regions, between December 2019 and July 2021. A total of 1,317 self-identified transgender women and travestis aged ≥18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and responded to a standard questionnaire. A medical consultation was offered including a physical examination and collection of samples from multiple sites to detect various STIs. Factors associated with uptake were investigated by reviewing demographic characteristics of participants who gave permission for physical examination (general, genital, and anorectal).

Results: Most participants (65.4%, 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 62.7-68.0) gave permission for a general examination (including oropharyngeal), with fewer permitting genital (42.3%, 95%CI 39.6-46.0) or anorectal (42.1%, 95%CI 39.4-44.9) examinations. Overall, 34.4% (95%CI 31.8-37.0) of participants refused all examinations. Participants with STI symptoms were significantly more likely to give permission for full examination than asymptomatic participants (64.3 vs. 37.4%, adjusted odds ratio - AOR=3.6, 95%CI 2.4-5.5). Other factors significantly associated with uptake of a full examination in multivariate analysis included age (AOR=1.5 for ≥25 years), religion (AOR=1.7 for Afro-Brazilian, AOR=1.9 for other religions compared to no religion), and education (AOR=2.0 for higher-level).

Conclusion: In the context of STI management, this study found limited acceptance of anogenital examinations among transgender women and travestis, with higher acceptance among those with STI symptoms.