Evaluation of Awareness and Preventive Measures among Transgender Regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases are infectious disorders spread
through unsafe sexual contact among sex workers and transgender community. The
present study was conducted to evaluate awareness and preventive measures among
male transgender in transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). It was a
descriptive cross-sectional survey study that conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. After
informed consent the data was collected using the snowball sampling technique for
6 months. 41 transgender including all types of age ranging 18-45 years were
included as per convenience. A self-administered survey-based questionnaire was
developed using WHO and CDC guidelines. Data were analyzed with the help of the
(SPSS) version 22 for the descriptive statistics. The mean age was 29.8 ± 7.09 with
the highest age of 45 and lowest 18. Regarding education majority of the
transgender were dropped out at Middle 18(43.9%) and 9(22%) were illiterate. The
highest frequency among professionals were of dancers 17(41.5%) and sex workers
11(26.8%). A Majority 28(68.3%) has unsafe sexual contact with one or more
partners. Some have experienced discharge from urethra 14(20.3%), pain during
urination 18(26.1%), ulcers or sores in genital areas 6(8.7%) altogether which can
be a symptom of STD. About 24(58%) transgender practices self-medication without
the prescription of a medical physician. It was concluded that transgender have a
poor understanding of STDs due to low education and sex selling as a profession.
They engage in risky sexual behaviour and were found unaware of proper treatment
resources.