Descriptive Study of Transgender Youth Receiving Health Care in the Gender Identity Program in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Since 2014, the Gender Identity Program (PROTIG) of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) has been assisting transgender youth seeking gender-affirmative treatment offered at a public health-care service specializing in gender in southern Brazil. This article aims to analyze sociodemographic and clinical data regarding the diagnoses of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence, psychiatric comorbidities, and clinical aspects of a sample of transgender youths seeking health care in the gender identity program. The research protocol consisted of a survey of the data collected in the global psychological evaluation performed at the health-care service for youths diagnosed with gender incongruence and their caretakers. Participating in this research were 24 transgender youths between 8 and 16 years old with diagnostic overlap of gender dysphoria [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)] and gender incongruence [International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11)] and 34 of their caregivers. Of the young people, 45.8% were positive for some psychiatric comorbidity throughout their lives, with almost half (45.4%) having two or more psychiatric comorbidities in addition to gender dysphoria. The mental health professionals comprising affirmation care teams face the challenge of adapting the care protocols to the uniqueness of each demand by developing individualized forms to promote healthy development. This can be done by focusing not only on medical and physical interventions for gender affirmation but also on the promotion of mental health and general emotional well-being. Thus, the gender affirmation model, which advocates for global assessment and personalized guidance, proved to be adequate. Nevertheless, access to multidisciplinary health services specializing in gender is essential for promoting the general well-being of the population of transgender youth.

Gender Minority Stress, Psychiatric Comorbidities, and the Experience of Migraine in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals: a Narrative Review

“…However, there seems to be a fair degree of heterogeneity between these studies. For instance, one study reported psychiatric comorbidities in 45.8% of a group of transgender children and adolescents [36] while another reported 53.2% of patients with gender dysphoria had at least one psychiatric disorder [37•], a third reported 76.3% of transgender individuals had psychiatric comorbidities [38], and a fourth reported 67.6% of a group of adolescents with gender dysphoria had no co-occurring psychiatric disorders [39].…”

Characteristics of children and adolescents referred to specialist gender services: a systematic review

“…Nineteen studies reported social transition data from seven countries 3 7 38 42 44 48 55 56 67 74 76 81 84–90. The US reported higher proportions of social transition (combined 77%, 95% CI 70% to 90%) compared with most other countries (combined 59%, 95% CI 52% to 66%).…”

“…Twenty-eight studies explored differences in depression (n=16),24 34 38 50 51 58 82 84 85 89 90 92 94 95 103 104 anxiety (n=11)51 58 82 84 85 89 92 94 95 103 or combined (n=12)23 28 36 40 105–108 by birth-registered sex, the majority reporting higher estimates of depression and anxiety in birth-registered females compared with males. There were six studies exploring differences by age groups 28 81 84 97 105.…”

Direitos de identidade de gênero no Brasil: Avanços legais e desafios contemporâneos

“…Ainda assim, desafios persistem. Um estudo realizado no Sul do Brasil evidenciou disparidades no acesso a cuidados de saúde específicos para jovens trans, evidenciando a necessidade de fortalecer e ampliar programas de saúde inclusivos (Borba Soll et al, 2021). A documentação e compreender as experiências das pessoas trans, não-binárias e de outras diversidades de gênero é crucial para fomentar políticas e práticas inclusivas.…”