Hazardous alcohol use among transwomen in a Brazilian city

Abstract

There is a lack of information about alcohol use by transgender women. We estimated the prevalence of dangerous alcohol use in the last 12 months by transgender women, who are known as travestis in Brazil, and we identified the associated risk factors. Three hundred travestis were recruited using Respondent Driving Sampling (RDS). We applied the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). We controlled the sample by applying a weight to each interviewee. Three quarters (74.2%) of travestis were regular drinkers, half (48.7%) scored over eight in the AUDIT and 14.8% scored over 20. The risk factors for alcohol use were: aged over 24, low income and unprotected sex. The dangerous use of alcohol is prevalent among travestis. Given that this group has a greater risk of HIV infection and transmission, and that the dangerous use of alcohol was associated with unsafe sex, specific intervention strategies are required.

Alcohol research with transgender populations: A systematic review and recommendations to strengthen future studies

“…Only one paper presented disaggregated findings for transgender men, transgender women, and genderqueer/non-binary individuals (Smalley et al, 2016). Across papers, estimates of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores indicative of hazardous drinking were fairly stable, at 47%-48% (Herrera et al, 2016; Kerr-Corrêa et al, 2017). Alcohol use disorder was rarely assessed; however, two studies found lifetime and past-year alcohol use disorder prevalence of 26% and 11%, respectively (Blosnich et al, 2017; Reisner et al, 2016).…”

Characteristics of a Population with Gender Incongruence Assisted at a Specialized Outpatient Service in the City of Ribeirão Preto

“…21 The prevalence of alcohol consumption in our sample was of 18.1%. Kerr-Corrêa et al 22 evaluated 304 MtF individuals, and found that three-quarters of them consumed alcohol. This is also a public health concern because alcohol consumption can lower inhibitions and increase the risk of engaging in unprotected sex and using illicit drugs.…”

“…6 Marginalization is associated with depression, anxiety, the use of illicit drugs, and risky behaviors, 23 which, in turn, increase the risk for acquiring STIs. 22 A limitation of the present study is that our data were obtained through a retrospective review of reports provided by caregivers of individuals who presented with GI. Therefore, there is a possibility of detection, memory, and/or diagnostic bias, because some subjects may not have reported certain sensitive information.…”

Screening, Counseling, and Shared Decision Making for Alcohol Use with Transgender and Gender-Diverse Populations

“…the AUDIT with TGD cohorts: in one Brazilian study, for example, 48.2% of transgender women had AUDIT scores ‡8, which qualifies as ''hazardous use'' according to nongendered WHO guidelines. 18 Another study from Peru with transgender women and with men who have sex with men found that, while 67% of participants self-reported binge drinking and 86% had biomarkers consistent with heavy alcohol use, only 25% screened positive on the AUDIT and only 6% did so on the CAGE screening questionnaire (''Cutting down,'' being ''Annoyed,'' feeling ''Guilty,'' and having an ''Eye-opener''). 19 Although this was a small cross-sectional study with methodological limitations, it called into question whether existing screening tools are accurately calibrated for detecting unhealthy alcohol use among all TGD populations.…”