Sexual Risk Taking Among Transgender Male-to-Female Youths With Different Partner Types

Associations between partner types (main, casual or commercial) and sexual risk behaviors of sexually active male-to-female (transgender female) young people were examined in the current study.

In Los Angeles and Chicago, the researchers interviewed 120 transgender female youths ages 15 to 24. Participants were recruited from clinics, community-based agencies, clubs, bars, the streets, and through referrals.

The results indicated that sexual risk behaviors varied by type of partner. The transgender youths were less likely to use condoms during receptive anal intercourse with their main partner; they also were less likely to use a condom with a main partner while under the influence of substances. The youths were more likely to talk about their HIV status with a main partner. The study data found no demographic or social factors that predicted condom use during receptive anal intercourse by partner type.

"Research and interventions that focus on understanding and mitigating risk behaviors by partner type, especially those that tackle the unique risks incurred with main partners, may make important contributions to risk reduction among transgender female youths," the authors concluded.

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