Syndemics, social networks & HIV among transgender women in Mexico

Dr. Eileen Pitpitan will share preliminary results from a recent pilot study with transgender women in Tijuana, Mexico examining syndemics (i.e., co-occurrence of multiple, negative psychosocial health conditions) and social networks. Intervention approaches targeting social networks have been shown to be effective at improving HIV prevention and care outcomes among marginalized, stigmatized, hidden populations. However, few social network interventions have been tested with trans women. The overall goal of this pilot study is to understand the roles of social networks, social support, and resilience in impacting syndemic conditions and the HIV prevention and care continuum among transgender women at risk for or living with HIV in Tijuana.