Abstract
BackgroundThe health of transgender men (trans men)–individuals who identify as men and were assigned a female sex assigned at birth–is overlooked globally. This mixed-methods exploratory study sought to understand the lived experiences, health, and social needs of trans men in Lima, Peru to bring visibility to specific health needs and inform responsive and holistic public health efforts.MethodsBetween July 2016-January 2017, 46 trans men in Lima, Peru participated in a mixed-methods study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, complemented with 10 one-on-one interviews to explore in-depth issues that arose in groups. Two individuals participated in both a focus group and an interview. All participants completed a brief survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics and experiences with healthcare, mental health, and stigma. Audio files were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an immersion crystallization approach to identify themes.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 24 years (range 18–48). Trans men reported a lack of awareness and information among medical providers, avoidance of healthcare due to discrimination and maltreatment, an absence of public services for medical gender affirmation (hormones, surgeries), and unmet mental health needs. Trans men described health as multidimensional and influenced by social, economic, and legal contexts including family, school, employment and work, legal identity recognition, discrimination in public spaces, and peer support. Violence, stigma, and intersecting forms of oppression were described as limiting social and legal recognition of trans identity a central dimension of health. Peer support, often in an online environment, was described as important to resistance and well-being.ConclusionsFindings demonstrate that the physical and mental health of trans men, as well as unmet needs for healthcare services, are influenced by a complex set of social, economic, and legal challenges due to the social exclusion of trans people in Peruvian society. Results are a call to action for stakeholders in Peru to guarantee the rights, health, and wellbeing of this community.
Highlights
Transgender men–individuals who identify as men, male, or another masculine gender identity different than their female sex assigned at birth–remain an overlooked population globally, including in Peru [1]
Trans men reported a lack of awareness and information among medical providers, avoidance of healthcare due to discrimination and maltreatment, an absence of public services for medical gender affirmation, and unmet mental health needs
Findings demonstrate that the physical and mental health of trans men, as well as unmet needs for healthcare services, are influenced by a complex set of social, economic, and legal challenges due to the social exclusion of trans people in Peruvian society
Summary
Transgender men (trans men)–individuals who identify as men, male, or another masculine gender identity different than their female sex assigned at birth–remain an overlooked population globally, including in Peru [1]. While research in transgender health is expanding, trans men continue to be underrepresented in the global health literature [1, 7]. The health of transgender men (trans men)–individuals who identify as men and were assigned a female sex assigned at birth–is overlooked globally. This mixed-methods exploratory study sought to understand the lived experiences, health, and social needs of trans men in Lima, Peru to bring visibility to specific health needs and inform responsive and holistic public health efforts
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