HIV test not a norm yet with transgenders: Study

This community is at a very high risk of contracting HIV as, according to the survey, 30.5 per cent had unprotected sex at least once with at least one man in the last six months. Fifty per cent of them said they had not got an HIV test done even once, while 94.2 per cent did not have a condom with them at the time of the interview, the survey has pointed out.

In March 2013, Women and Child Welfare Minister Varsha Gaikwad had released a draft of the women’s policy and sought recommendations related to tritiyapanthis. A study of transgenders and the problems they face was conducted for a better understanding of the matter to develop welfare schemes for the community and empower it.

The survey was carried out during two jatras (fairs) at Kasegoan in Pandharpur and Madhardevi in Satara in December 2013 and February 2014, respectively. A total of 103 transgenders in the age group of 21-25 years from Pune, Mumbai and Solapur, apart from Nashik, Nagpur, Latur and other parts of the state were surveyed.

Most of the transgenders surveyed admitted that their first sexual experience had been at the age of 13 years. A total of 31.57 per cent had their first sexual experience before the age of 13 years. In 88.2 per cent of the cases, it was the partner who initiated the contact, with neighbours accounting for 32 per cent, relatives 28 per cent and acquaintances (friends and known persons) 23 per cent of the partners. There was also a high level of child sexual abuse among tritiyapanthis with very few reporting it to their parents or guardians. A total of 13 per cent of the respondents had been forced to have anal sex at least once, found the survey.

Of the total people surveyed, more than 37 per cent were school dropouts, 10 per cent had no documents, while 19 per cent had bank accounts. Their monthly income averaged between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000. Though most don’t fall in the below poverty line category, they do not have secure means of savings and 21 per cent of them hand over at least part of their earnings to their ‘gurus’ or partners.

The survey also found that 43 per cent had faced harassment for sex at the hands of men at least once. Daily alcohol intake and consumption of tobacco are also as high as 58 per cent among the community.

According to survey leader Milind Palaskar, substance abuse was also high among the transgenders. A total of 58.33 per cent were found to be tobacco users, with 82.14 per cent consuming it every day. A total of 26.96 per cent consume gutkha, with 66.66 per cent of them daily. Forty per cent transgenders were found to consume alcohol. “Based on the pilot survey, a larger study will be undertaken,” Khire added.