Investigating the Health Status of Transgender Individuals Referred to Forensic Medicine Center in 2021: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

Abstract

Background & Aim This study aimed to determine health status of Iranian transgender people who referred to Forensic Medicine Center in order to provide equal and accessible health services to transgender people. Materials and methods As part of this cross-sectional study, 200 transsexuals (106 transgender men/TM, 94 transgender women/TW) from Fars Province, Iran, completed a questionnaire including 24 items on socio-demography and health status in 2021. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, and also Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for the data analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The gender identity age distribution was significantly different between TW and TM (P = 0.004). Women were significantly more likely to engage in unprotected intercourse than men (p = 0.001), but perceived financial, medical, and social barriers were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, women reported more family obstacles than men (P = 0.006). Conclusion Both women and men have experienced equal financial, medical, and social challenges in the health system, but women face more constraints in their family lives.