Basuco consumption in transgender women across three cities in Colombia

Abstract

This article aims to describe the factors associated with basuco consumption in transgender women (TW) in three cities in Colombia, South America. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) and included 688 transgender women participants from Bogotá, Medellín and Santiago de Cali. Descriptive analyses, bivariate associations, and a binomial regression were performed. The prevalence of basuco consumption among participants was 11%; factors associated with basuco consumption among TW included having a low socioeconomic level, living alone, feeling vulnerable to HIV, having had an STI in the last year, and consuming marijuana. Substance consumption in TW in Colombia is high when compared to the general population, and the literature shows that basuco consumption is intensified within a context of social vulnerability. Encouraging the development of policies and programs with a comprehensive approach to health and substance use prevention particularly among vulnerable TW considering their unique sociodemographic and economic characteristics, is warranted.