Prevalence and Risk Factors of HIV Infections in Transgender and Non-binary People in Flanders and Brussels (Belgium)

Summary

Background: HIV prevalence and sexual risk have been estimated very high for transgender people. However, the limited sampling and data collection methods used in current research on transgender people potentially led to overrepresentation and generalisation of people at risk for HIV. Current HIV prevalence estimates in transgender populations are generalised from studies mainly focusing on transgender women who engage in sex work. Moreover, current research remains cisnormative, and studies focusing on non-binary people, who identify with a broad range of identities beyond the traditional male and female gender identities, are scarce.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the HIV prevalence rate in the Flemish and Brussels (Belgium) transgender population, including transgender women as well as transgender men and non-binary people, and identifying the associated individual and community-level risk factors.

Methods: In this community-based cross-sectional study, self-identified transgender and non-binary (TGNB) people will be recruited through a two-stage time-location sampling approach to minimize selection bias. In a first part, community settings in which TGNB people gather will be mapped using qualitative and ethnographic research methods, to reveal how the TGNB community in Flanders and Brussels is structured and to develop an accurate sampling frame. In a second part, to select the respondents, a multistage sampling design is applied involving a stratification based on setting type (healthcare facilities vs outreach events), a selection of clusters by systematic sampling and a simple random selection of TGNB people within each cluster. Participants will complete an electronic self-reported survey to measure sociological, sexual and drug-using behaviors (risk factors) and, at the same time, oral fluid aliquots will be collected and tested for HIV antibodies. Logistic regression models will be used to evaluate risk factors independently associated with HIV infection.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study will be the first to investigate the HIV prevalence rates and behaviors that increase risk and vulnerability for HIV infection in an accurate representation of the TGNB population in a West European country. The findings of this study will globally serve as a knowledge base for identifying subgroups at risk for becoming infected with HIV within TGNB people and to set up targeted prevention programs on sexual health.

Conditions

• HIV Infections

Interventions

OTHER

Survey on socio-demographic variables and healthcare-seeking, sexual and drug-using behaviour

Digital survey to estimate the associated risk factors for HIV infections in transgender and non-binary people in Flanders and Brussels (Belgium)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Ghent

  collaborator OTHER

• Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium

  collaborator OTHER

• Institute for the Equality of Women and Men, Belgium

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Gilead Sciences

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Belgian Red Cross

  collaborator OTHER

• Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgium

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Guy T'Sjoen, MD, PhD · University Hospital, Ghent

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-12-01

Primary Completion

2023-07-11

Completion

2023-07-11

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations