Transgender preventative healthcare-an exploratory study

Braveheart Gillani; Prakash Ganesh; Shubham Gupta; Michelle Caster; George Matar; Gaetan Pettigrew; Rebecka Bracken; Rachel Pope

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222550

Authors

Braveheart Gillani Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Prakash Ganesh Center of Health Integration, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Shubham Gupta Department of Urology, University Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
Michelle Caster Family Medicine, University Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
George Matar Family Medicine, University Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
Gaetan Pettigrew Department of Obstetrician and Gynecologist, University of California, San Francisco, USA
Rebecka Bracken Ohio University, OH, USA
Rachel Pope Department Urology, OB/GYN University Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222550

Keywords:

Transgender, Gender non-conforming, Preventative, Cancer, Affirming

Abstract

Background: Transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) populations experience more health disparities than the general LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) and the general cis-gender heterosexual population.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of preventative health screenings was done across the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population utilizing Qualtrics. Thirty-five (36%) transgender individuals and 63 (64%) cis-gender individuals were included in the analysis. Bivariate analyses were performed using Welch's t test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact or Pearson chi-square for categorical variables.

Results: Cis-women were more likely than TGGD individuals with a cervix to have received a papanicolaou smear and reported being more up to date on cervical cancer screening via papanicolaou testing. Cisgender women were more likely to have had a mammogram than transgender men pre-breast removal. Of the 35 gender-diverse individuals, 14 did not have a PCP, 7 of whom never had one. Fear of discrimination, fear of misgendering, inability to pay, lack of provider knowledge about transgender issues and incongruency with current name and gender with the most common causes for avoiding health care. For the most part, respondents report that these factors cause distress.

Conclusions: This study provides data regarding the statistically significant differences in preventative screening prevalence within TGGD clients as compared to LGB populations. Additionally, the study provides series of recommendations for preventative health screenings based upon organ set of individuals rather than gender identity.

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Author Biography

Braveheart Gillani, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences

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