Mental health, substance use, experiences of violence, and access to health care among transgender and non-binary people during the COVID-19 lockdown in Argentina
Date
2021-07
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Abstract
Background: Lockdown measures are effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19; however, concerns have increased regarding their impact on transgender and non-binary people. Aims: This study describes self-reported changes in mental health, substance use, experiences of violence, and access to health care and basic services among transgender and non-binary populations from Argentina after two months of lockdown implementation. Methods: An online national survey was responded to by 182 participants (72 transfeminine [TF], 66 transmasculine [TM], 44 non-binary [NB] individuals) between May and June 2020. The questionnaire was informed by the results of focus groups, reviewed by activists, and disseminated through social media. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown have had a generally negative impact on the participants. TF participants reported a greater proportion of negative changes in the socioeconomic aspect, such as a reduction in income and barriers to access basic services (housing, food, hygiene products, and financial assistance). TM and NB participants reported higher proportions of adverse psychological impact, with high frequencies of intense negative emotions and suicidal ideation. A general reduction in substance use was observed in all three groups. The most frequent source of violence in the three groups was from a family member, especially among NB participants. Half of the TF and TM individuals reported difficulties accessing or continuing their hormone therapy. TM and NB participants reported considerable barriers to accessing mental health care. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged lockdown have had a negative impact on the transgender and NB population, exacerbating their preexisting vulnerability and exclusion. Furthermore, this impact affected each subgroup differently in a particular and specific way"ยก
Description
Keywords
Argentina, COVID-19, health care, lockdown, mental health, non-binary, transgender
Citation
Pablo D. Radusky, Nadir Cardozo, Mariana Duarte, Solange Fabian, Emilia Frontini, Omar Sued & Ines Aristegui (2021): Mental health, substance use, experiences of violence, and access to health care among transgender and non-binary people during the COVID-19 lockdown in Argentina, International Journal of Transgender Health, DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2021.1943593"