Health Behaviour among Transgenders: An Empirical Study

Transgender people are a subset of the LGBTQ community and are regarded as the third gender. Transgender people are a vulnerable segment of society, with severe negative outcomes such as marginalisation, isolation, and discrimination associated with gender minority status. All the vulnerabilities may have an impact on transgenders' health behaviour, preventing them from entering the mainstream. The present paper was designed to examine the health perceptions, perceived HIV risk and sexual risk taking among transgenders. Further their psycho-social vulnerabilities of victimization were also explored. In the present study purposive sampling method was used. The sample comprised of 30 transgenders with average age of 31 years. Standardized measures HPQ (Health Perceptions Questionnaire): (Ware, 1976), HIV Perceived Risk Scale (PRHS): (Napper et al., 2011) and SRS (Sexual Risk Survey): (Turchik & Garske, 2008) were used to assess aforementioned variables. Descriptive statistic analysis was performed and it was found that respondents have negative health perceptions and they perceive themselves more susceptible to fall sick. Further it was found that respondents perceive themselves as vulnerable to contract HIV, but still they are high on sexual risk taking. Due to the stigma associated with the gender minority community, they lack education and employment opportunities hence, sex work becomes only viable option for them to earn living.