Body construction and health itineraries: a survey among travestis and trans people in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

The article examines health itineraries followed by Brazilian travestis, trans men and trans women in the affirmation of their gender, based on the survey Trans Uerj: Health and Citizenship of Trans People in Brazil. The survey’s main objectives were to gauge the trans/travesti population’s diversity and sociodemographic profile; and to map the various ways they access their rights as citizens, especially to healthcare services and body modification technologies. Interviewers, mainly trans people and travestis, applied 391 questionnaires in the city of Rio de Janeiro and its metropolitan region to interviewees of different social classes, schooling levels and gender identity configurations, contacted through the interviewers’ social networks. For defining respondents’ gender identities the survey used an original method based on self-definitions, which were then aggregated into 6 categories for data analysis purposes. This article discusses the multiple strategies used by this trans population in gender affirmation processes to gain access to regulated and/or unregulated use of hormones and surgical procedures.

Health of transgender men in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review

“…Educational attainment varied; some samples were predominantly university educated 26 31 but completion of secondary school was the norm in most. 42–46 …”

“…Educational attainment varied; some samples were predominantly university educated 26 31 but completion of secondary school was the norm in most. [42][43][44][45][46] Two Brazilian studies drew on the same survey of trans people recruited via a gender clinic and an online survey, with 156-188 trans men identified using the two-step approach. 43 46 One study described HIV testing and postexposure prophylaxis histories 46 while the other focused on gender-affirming care, including barriers to hormonal and surgical care, and use of unprescribed hormones.…”

Homens transexuais e o acesso aos serviços de saúde: revisão integrativa

“…Ademais, cita-se também o pequeno número de profissionais especializados no assunto, seja na rede privada ou pública, o que deixa claro, que ter recursos financeiros não garante nem o acesso aos serviços (Braz, 2019); e a dificuldade na obtenção de hormônios (Carrara et al, 2019), pois a testosterona só é vendida com receita médica controlada. Essas intercorrências fazem com que o usuário procure outras formas de conseguir os serviços ou que, até mesmo, se afaste dos mesmos.…”

“…A automedicação é um assunto que demanda muita atenção, devido aos riscos relacionados a mesma e a seu alto índice de realização Souza & Iriart, 2018). Dentre as principais causas relacionadas a esse tópico estão a dificuldade de se chegar à Atenção Especializada, devido às adversidades encontradas na Atenção Básica e à demora nesse percurso (Atenção Básica -> Atenção Especializada); necessidade de receita médica para obtenção do hormônio masculinizante; dificuldade de encontrar o medicamento em farmácias e instituições de saúde (Braz, 2019;Carrara et al, 2019). Por isso, os homens trans buscam formas mais fáceis de obter a testosterona, que será ministrada sem o acompanhamento qualificado, podendo acarretar problemas de saúde e até a morte.…”

Saúde e direitos da população trans

“…The second article 6 examines the health itineraries of 391 transvestites and trans women and men in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro, from different social classes, educational levels, and gender identity configurations they were contacted via the interviewers' social networks. The study aims to describe the sociodemographic profile of this universe and map the forms of access to health services and body-change technologies.…”