Social Networks Play a Complex Role in HIV Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and the Uptake of PrEP Through Transgender Women Communities Centered Around Three “Casas Trans” in Lima, Peru: A Qualitative Study

Tijana Temelkovska, Kathleen Moriarty, Leyla Huerta, Amaya Perez-Brumer, Eddy Segura, Ryan Colby Passaro, Jordan E. Lake, Jesse Clark, Cherie Blair

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transgender women's (TW) social networks may facilitate HIV prevention information dissemination and normative reinforcement. We conducted a qualitative study of social networks among 20 TW affiliated with 3 “casas trans” (houses shared among TW) in Lima, Peru, using diffusion of innovations theory to investigate community-level HIV prevention norms. Participants completed demographic questionnaires, social network interviews, and semistructured in-depth interviews. Median age was 26 and all participants engaged in sex work. Interviews revealed high HIV prevention knowledge and positive attitudes, but low engagement in HIV prevention. Respondents primarily discussed HIV prevention with other TW. Network members’ opinions about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) frequently influenced respondents’ personal beliefs, including mistrust of healthcare personnel, concern that PrEP efficacy was unproven, fear of adverse effects, and frustration regarding difficulty accessing PrEP. Patterns of influence in TW networks may be leveraged to improve uptake of HIV prevention tools, including PrEP.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
Volume22
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HIV prevention
  • Peru
  • PrEP
  • social network
  • transgender women

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