The HIV Landscape for Transgender Women Living in Southwest Asia and North Africa: A Scoping Review

IF 5.2 1区医学 Q2 IMMUNOLOGY

Journal of the International AIDS Society Pub Date : 2026-09-18 DOI:10.1002/jia2.70206

Ala Koreitem, Sasha Abdallah Fahme, Parya Saberi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

This scoping review aimed to characterize the prevalence and determinants of HIV acquisition among transgender women in Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA), to describe HIV preventive activities and measures, and to examine barriers to HIV and gender-affirming care, including experiences of stigma, discrimination and mental health challenges among transgender women in the region.

Methods

We searched PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL for any articles published through 12 June 2026, that included transgender women, used primary or secondary data and were published in Arabic or English. Studies meeting these criteria were screened in Covidence. Discrepancies were resolved following data extraction.

Results

A total of 276 articles were identified (152 duplicates removed). After screening titles and abstracts, 49 full texts were assessed for eligibility. The articles included (N = 23) were primarily cross-sectional studies (N = 20) conducted in Iran, Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia. Three were non-randomized experimental studies; one intervention was designed specifically for transgender women, focusing on gender affirmation and social support. Cross-sectional studies examined HIV prevention, sexual activities and mental health. Condomless receptive anal intercourse and low HIV testing rates were most common among those engaged in sex work, which was attributed to coercion, perceived low risk for HIV acquisition or fear of disclosing one's HIV status. Stigma, physical and sexual violence, anxiety, depression and suicidality were highly prevalent among transgender women in SWANA and served as barriers to accessing healthcare services, including HIV and gender-affirming care.

Discussion

This review highlights critical areas for trans-specific interventions addressing transgender women's needs in SWANA, where HIV incidence remains on the rise.

Conclusions

Future longitudinal research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in reducing HIV rates, improving mental health outcomes and mitigating structural barriers hindering healthcare access among transgender women in SWANA.

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生活在西南亚和北非的跨性别妇女的艾滋病毒状况：一项范围审查

本范围审查的目的是描述西南亚和北非（SWANA）跨性别妇女感染艾滋病毒的流行情况和决定因素，描述艾滋病毒预防活动和措施，并审查艾滋病毒和性别肯定护理的障碍，包括该区域跨性别妇女遭受耻辱、歧视和心理健康挑战的经历。方法检索PubMed、PsycINFO和CINAHL，检索截至2026年6月12日发表的所有文章，包括变性女性，使用主要或次要数据，以阿拉伯语或英语发表。在冠状病毒病期间筛选了符合这些标准的研究。数据提取后，差异得到了解决。结果共鉴定出276篇文献（剔除重复152篇）。在筛选标题和摘要后，对49篇全文进行合格性评估。纳入的文章（N = 23）主要是在伊朗、黎巴嫩、土耳其、摩洛哥和突尼斯进行的横断面研究（N = 20）。3项为非随机实验研究；其中一项干预措施是专门为跨性别女性设计的，重点是性别肯定和社会支持。横断面研究调查了艾滋病毒预防、性活动和心理健康。在从事性工作的人群中，无避孕套肛交和艾滋病毒检测率较低最为常见，这是由于受到胁迫、认为感染艾滋病毒的风险较低或害怕披露自己的艾滋病毒状况。在SWANA，污名化、身体暴力和性暴力、焦虑、抑郁和自杀在变性妇女中非常普遍，这些都是她们获得保健服务，包括艾滋病毒和性别确认护理的障碍。本综述强调了跨性别干预的关键领域，以解决SWANA的跨性别妇女的需求，那里的艾滋病毒发病率仍在上升。结论需要进一步的纵向研究来评估干预措施在降低HIV感染率、改善心理健康结果和减轻阻碍SWANA变性妇女获得医疗保健的结构性障碍方面的有效性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of the International AIDS Society IMMUNOLOGY-INFECTIOUS DISEASES

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

10.00%

发文量

186

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) is a peer-reviewed and Open Access journal for the generation and dissemination of evidence from a wide range of disciplines: basic and biomedical sciences; behavioural sciences; epidemiology; clinical sciences; health economics and health policy; operations research and implementation sciences; and social sciences and humanities. Submission of HIV research carried out in low- and middle-income countries is strongly encouraged.