A qualitative exploratory study on gender identity and the health risks and barriers to care for transgender women living in a U.S.–Mexico border city

ABSTRACT This exploratory, qualitative study examined the health risks and barriers to care for transgender women who live in a U.S.–Mexico border city. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 self-identified transgender women in El Paso, Texas, seven of whom identified as Latina. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for analysis of emerging themes, using the qualitative analysis software Atlas.ti (v.7.0). The themes that emerged are (1) self-acceptance of transgender identity; (2) acceptance of transgender identity within social networks; and (3) health risks, including body modifications and barriers to health care. The findings reveal phases of self-acceptance of transgender identity, a high level of health risks, scarce health services resources, and low levels of acceptance from family, friends, and partners. This study provides an important contribution to the health disparities literature on gender identity and health risks and the needs of transgender women, particularly in a U.S.–Mexico border context.