International Journal of Research in Social Sciences
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 3

Physical and Mental Health with special reference to Male to Female Transgender in Chennai City

  • Author:
  • M. Sudha1, L.S. Suga Priyanka1, Alan Potter1, Georgy John Mathew2
  • Total Page Count: 10
  • Page Number: 342 to 351

1Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Mar Gregorios College, Chennai

2II Yr, Department of Social Work, Mar Greogorios College, Chennai

Online published on 25 June, 2019.

Abstract

Transgender Status, sex work, various types of stigma, gender based violence, intimate partner violenceand lack of social support makes male to female transgender vulnerable to STI, HIV and mental health problems

To study socio demographic profile of the respondents. To understand physical health (In relation to transgender gender status and sex work) To analysis the mental health of respondents To study the treatment seeking behaviour of the respondents

In June 2016, 784 Male to Female Transgender enrolled in the CBO-Thozhi, 275 in Transgender Rights Association (TRA) and 282 in Tamil Nadu Aravanigal Association (THAA). A sample size of 299 was taken.

Semi Structured Interview Schedule was used to collected data. Cage and GHQ-12 was used.

It was found that 42% of the respondents had STI, while 78% of the respondents were suffering from Urinary Infection. While 29 of the respondents did not get their HIV status tested, 12 of the respondents did not want to answer the question and3 of the respondents shared that their HIV status was positive. While eighty five percent of the respondents expressed that they consume alcohol, fifty four percent of the respondents were addicted to alcohol. More than one third (39%) of the respondents had severe problems and psychological distress, while this was followed by thirty-five percent of the respondents who were found to have evidence of mild distress.

Social workers can be appointed in schools to assist the Transgender to continue their education and to improve the acceptance of the family members and in providing a stress free environment. CBOs can concentrate on improvising mental health of the respondents. Health care Providers needs to be sensitised about the special neds of the respondents.

Increase in the education level, employability, reduction in stigma would reduce their vulnerability in exposing them to STI, HIV and urinary infection. Strengthening social support system reduces alcohol addiction and improvises mental health.

Keywords

Mental Health, HIV, STI, Male to Female Transgender