article · 2026
Assessing Availability of HIV/Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection Prevention and Care Services for Trans Women and Gender Diverse People in Ontario, Canada: An Environmental Scan of Clinic Websites
Janac-journal of the Association of Nurses in Aids Care
School of Social Work bio: Ashley Lacombe-Duncan
Abstract
Trans and gender diverse (TGD) people have heightened vulnerability to HIV/sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) driven, in part, by anti-trans stigma, yet they also face barriers to HIV/STBBI prevention and care. Integrating gender-affirming health care (GAHC; e.g., gender-affirming hormone therapy) with HIV/STBBI prevention/care could improve uptake of HIV/STBBI prevention/care for this population. Yet, the extent to which this integrated care is available is unknown. We conducted an environmental scan of active HIV/STBBI clinic websites in Ontario, Canada during June-September 2024, to determine the availability of HIV/STBBI services by geographic region and indicators of TGD inclusion. Of 198 clinic websites, 55.1% had visual or textual representation of TGD inclusion/support, with 21.7% stating nonmedical TGD affirmation programming (e.g., support group[s]) and 10.6% endorsing integrated HIV/STBBI prevention/care and GAHC. Findings underscore opportunities to increase integrated HIV/STBBI prevention and care and GAHC and to incorporate TGD inclusivity on websites to enhance TGD sexual health equity. [Lacombe-Duncan, Ashley] Univ Michigan, Sch Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA. [Loutfy, Mona] Womens Coll Hosp, Women & HIV Res Program, Toronto, ON, Canada. [Loutfy, Mona] Maple Leaf Med Clin, Toronto, ON, Canada. [Loutfy, Mona] Univ Toronto, Fac Med, Toronto, ON, Canada. System; University of Michigan; University of Toronto; Womens College Hospital; University of Toronto