Investigating the needs and barriers for prevention, control, and treatment of HIV/AIDS in transgender population: a systematic review of literature

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the health needs related to prevention, control, and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in transgender people from the perspective of transgender individuals and health policy-makers. Material and methods: Original studies (case-control, cohort, cross-sectional), interventional studies, clinical trials, and qualitative studies were included in the review. All international electronic databases, such as PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar (gray literature) were searched from December 1990 to December 2019. Quality of articles was assessed using STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology), CONSORT (consolidated standards of reporting trials), and SRQR (standards for reporting qualitative research) checklists. Search strategy, data extraction, and quality evaluation of papers were performed by two researchers independently. Results: The results showed that from the perspective of health policy-makers, the needs related to control, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS in transgender population were the need for optimal access to AIDS-related services, such as easy access to diagnostic tests, and the need to increase insufficient awareness of the ways of transmission of the disease and its symptoms. From the perspective of transgender people, the need for more care and attention after surgery, such as access to appropriate therapeutic hormones and disposable syringes, were more important. Conclusions: According to the results, health policy-makers can develop an appropriate plan for timely access to HIV/AIDS control, prevention, and treatment services for transgender individuals. The drawback of this systematic review is limited access to the full texts of some of the original articles. Moreover, many articles reported brief results only.