ASPO Abstracts
Gender-linked disparities in tobacco use between male-to-female and female-to-male transgender individuals
Category: Cancer Health Disparities, Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Introduction: Transgender is an umbrella term for a diverse group of individuals whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned at birth. Because of social stigma surrounding gender identity or expression, male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals often experience discrimination and harassment leading to negative health outcomes. Our objective was to investigate differences in smoking-related gender health disparities within a sample of transgender individuals in Houston, Texas. Methods: A sample of 104 transgender individual seeking care at a transgender clinic located in Houston, Texas completed a 20-item survey examining tobacco use and other health-related risk factors. Chi-squared statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and t-test were used to assess differences between MTF and FTM transgender individuals. Additionally, logistic regression models examined multivariable associations between demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with current cigarette smoking. Results: Among the 104 transgender individuals, 45 (43%) were FTM and 59 (57%) were MTF. In terms of race/ethnicity: 41% were White, 19% African-American, 26% Latino, and 14% other races/ethnicities. Top three health issues included: healthcare providers’ knowledge about LGBT issues (50%), suicide (45%), and access to healthcare (42%). Current smoking prevalence among FTM transgender individuals (29%) was statistically significantly higher than that of MTF transgender individuals (12%). After controlling for age, gender identity (FTM vs.MTF), race/ethnicity, education, history of mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety and/or depression), employment, health insurance status, and being out to healthcare provider, those who were FTM transgender individuals (p<0.05) and did not have any kind of health care coverage (p<0.05) were statistically significantly more likely to be current smokers. Conclusions: Findings from our study revealed that FTM transgender individuals bear a disproportionate burden of cancer morbidity and mortality related to tobacco use. Future research efforts should increase awareness of tobacco use in the transgender population.
Keywords: Transgender Disparities Smoking