Medical News Sex Work and HIV Status Among Transgender Women: Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisJune 11, 2008 "Transgender women are a key risk group for HIV, and epidemiologic studies have attributed high rates of HIV infection to behaviors associated with sex work in this population. This systematic review compared HIV prevalence among transgender female sex workers (TFSWs) with prevalence among transgender women who do not engage in sex work, male sex workers and biologically female sex workers," explained the study authors. Systematic searches of six electronic databases were performed, and studies that met pre-established criteria were included. The researchers extracted data, appraised methodologic quality, assessed heterogeneity, and organized meta-analyses by comparison group. Twenty-five studies involving 6,405 participants recruited from 14 countries were identified. Overall crude HIV prevalence was 27.3 percent in TFSWs, 14.7 percent in transgender women not engaging in sex work, 15.1 percent in male sex workers, and 4.5 percent in female sex workers. Meta-analysis showed that TFSWs had significantly higher risk for HIV infection compared to all other groups (relative risk [RR]=1.46, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 2.09) -- particularly in comparison to female sex workers (RR=4.02, 95 percent CI: 1.06 to 10.11). Significant heterogeneity among the included studies was observed, in addition to methodologic limitations and imprecise definitions of sex work and gender. JAIDS 5.01.2008; Vol. 48; No. 1: P. 97-103; Don Operario, PhD; Toho Soma, MPH; Kristen Underhill, DPhil ![]() South Carolina Gov. Sanford Vetoes Bill That Would Have Modified Regulations Concerning HIV-Positive Students This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.
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