The Helping Networks of Transgender Women Living with HIV

This study uses social network analysis to describe the natural helping networks of transgender women living with HIV, their help-seeking patterns for HIV-related, gender-related, and ancillary resources, and the characteristics of potential network ambassadors. From February to August 2019, transgender women living with HIV in the US (N  = 231) participated a 30-min online survey asking them to describe their natural helping networks (N = 1054). On average, participants were embedded within natural helping networks consisting of 4–5 people. They were more likely to seek help from informal network members vs. formal servic e providers (p <  .01), and from chosen family and partners/spouses (p <  .05) above other social connections. Older network members (p <  .01), other transgender women (p <  .05), and those with whom they regularly engaged face-to-face (p <  .01) (vs. social technology) were identified as potential network ambassadors for HIV-, gender-related, and other important issues. These findings suggest an opportunity to develop CHA interventions that leverage existing help networks and potential network ambassadors to promote equitable access to HIV, gender-affirming, and other crucial resources among this medically underserved group.
Source: Journal of Community Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research