Sexually transmitted infection testing among transgender and non-binary persons: results of a community-based cross-sectional survey

• Published in: Sexual health Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 87
• Main Authors: Lacombe-Duncan, Ashley, Kattari, Shanna K, Kattari, Leonardo, Scheim, Ayden I, Misiolek, Brayden A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01-02-2023
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Transgender Persons
• ISSN: 1449-8987
• DOI: 10.1071/SH22128

Studies show higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among transgender (trans) and non-binary (TNB) persons compared with the general population. Scant studies have examined non-HIV STI testing (henceforth referred to as STI testing); fewer inclusive of trans men and non-binary persons. We characterised the prevalence of STI testing and time since last STI test and gender-based differences in these outcomes among TNB persons.
Data were analysed from a 2018 community-based participatory cross-sectional survey (n =528). Prevalence of lifetime STI testing history and time since last STI test were reported overall and compared across genders (trans men, trans women, non-binary assigned female at-birth, non-binary assigned male at-birth) using Chi-squared, then bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to compare lifetime STI testing history (ever vs never) across sociodemographic and health care characteristics.
Most (n =425; 80.5%) participants reported having ever had an STI test; over half (59.8%) ever tested had tested within the past year. Bivariate analyses showed no significant gender differences in lifetime STI testing history (P =0.298) or time since last STI test (P =0.118). In a multivariable model, higher age, reporting multiple committed partners (vs single/divorced), known HIV status, and ever receiving information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were positively associated with ever having had an STI test, whereas Latinx race/ethnicity (vs white) was negatively associated.
Findings showed high rates of lifetime STI testing and recent testing, with no gender-based differences. Never testing rates were concerning considering screening recommendations. Broad based (non-gender specific) TNB-focused interventions may be warranted to increase uptake.