​​Inequalities lead to health disparities. This week we feature key populations to highlight how intersectionality or different marginalised identities may overlap and exacerbate these disparities. We also feature selected organisations and their work to address these issues.

A key example of this intersectionality is reported by Hermazewska et al. who conducted a systematic review of lived experiences of transgender forced migrants including sex workers. This paper identified factors contributing to profound deprivation and distress in this highly minoritised group, with pervasive and persistent violence, discrimination, economic exclusion, barriers to healthcare and dependency on legal documentation, all contributing to poor mental health outcomes. 

 

The key populations included in this week are:

1. Transgender people
2. Migrants
3. Sex workers

 

AIM: Incorporate the research articles disseminated on social channels, lived experience quotes, and current projects ongoing.

• Describing the key populations that will be highlighted
  • Prevalence of STIs and testing programmes
  • Barriers to understanding the needs of these populations.
  • Describe the inequalities faced by these communities in accessing their healthcare needs.
• Changing the narrative away from “hard to reach” to “underserved” and minoritised populations. 
• Strategies for healthcare providers to better engage and serve these communities.

 

Organisations featured

• LGBT foundation https://lgbt.foundation/who-were-here-for 

• Terrence Higgins Trust https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-sexual-health/sexual-health/trans-people 

• Migrant help https://www.migranthelpuk.org/ 

 

References

1. Hermaszewska et al.  Lived experiences of transgender forced migrants and their mental health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-ethnography BJPsych Open. 2022; 10;8:e91 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.51 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/lived-experiences-of-transgender-forced-migrants-and-their-mental-health-outcomes-systematic-review-and-metaethnography/DB06D856BE3DB4F005131691E958608F
2. Weber et al. Gender-related data missingness, imbalance and bias in global health surveys. BMJ Global Health. 2021;6:e007405 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007405 

https://gh.bmj.com/content/bmjgh/6/11/e007405.full.pdf 

1. El-Dirani et al. Factors associated with female genital mutilation: a systematic review and synthesis of national, regional and community-based studies. BMJ Sex & Reprod Health. 2022. Online First. DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201399

https://srh.bmj.com/content/early/2022/04/27/bmjsrh-2021-201399 

1. Gosselin et al. When and why? Timing of post-migration HIV acquisition among sub-Saharan migrants in France. Sex Transm Infect. 2020; 96: 227-231 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-054080

https://sti.bmj.com/content/96/3/227 

1. Tan et al. Social capital in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases among migrants and refugees: a systematic review and meta-ethnography. BMJ Global Health. 2021; 6:e006828 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006828 

https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/12/e006828 

1. Elmes et al. Effect of police enforcement and extreme social inequalities on violence and mental health among women who sell sex: findings from a cohort study in London, UK. Sex Transm Infect. 2021. Online First. DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055088

https://sti.bmj.com/content/early/2021/10/26/sextrans-2021-055088 

1. Lim et al. Efficacy of multicomponent culturally tailored HIV/ STI prevention interventions targeting foreign female entertainment workers: a quasi-experimental trial. 2018; 94:449-456 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053203

https://sti.bmj.com/content/94/6/449