Itineraries of transvestites and transsexuals accessing hormonal treatment at the AMIG (RJ) and characterization of service users

Abstract

This article aimed to obtain a profile of and understand how transsexual and transvestite people gained access to the health system up until referral to the reference unit for hormonal monitoring at the Multidisciplinary Gender Identity Outpatient Clinic in Rio de Janeiro state (AMIG). Data were collected from 458 medical records to characterize the clinic’s patients. Bertaux Life Narrative method was employed for the interviews, with the participation of 16 people, namely, six transsexual women, two transvestites, and eight transsexual men. The results indicate that most medical records (61%) are from trans women; most clients served are Black (Black and brown) and do not have chronic diseases. The analyzed interviews revealed that the problematic access was associated with the perceived lack of health professionals’ qualifications, the lack of a standardized protocol for regulation, and centralized care in the reference unit. It is necessary to develop a protocol for equity in regulation, the continuing education of PHC professionals to clarify the transition process and its needs, and the decentralization of the transsexualization process in order to promote equitable access.