https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4675-9480
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Abstract
Introduction
Using Asia’s first nationwide cohort dataset, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of anti-transgender discrimination and healthcare avoidance and delay (HAD) and examine their associations among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults in South Korea.
Methods
We analyzed a two-wave (2020–2021) longitudinal dataset of 190 Korean TGD adults. Anti-transgender discrimination were classified accordingly: experienced at (1) neither wave, (2) baseline (2020) only, (3) follow-up (2021) only, and (4) both waves. We also asked about HAD in the past 12 months at follow-up for both transition-related and non-transition-related healthcare services. Multivariate modified Poisson regression was used to examine the associations between anti-transgender discrimination and HAD.
Results
Of 190 participants, 102 (53.7%) experienced anti-transgender discrimination at both waves, and 130 (68.4%) reported HAD at follow-up. Compared to those without any experiences of anti-transgender discrimination, those who experienced it in both waves had a 1.78-times (95% CI: 1.21–2.63) higher prevalence of non-transition-related HAD, but not among those who experienced it in either wave. In contrast, anti-transgender discrimination was not associated with transition-related HAD.
Conclusion
In order to enhance healthcare access for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals, it is necessary to implement interventions, such as anti-discrimination laws, that protect them from discrimination.
Acknowledgments
The first author (Ranyeong Kim) was supported by the Health Fellowship Foundation of South Korea. The funding organizations had no role in the design and conduct of the study, in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data, and in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the professionals at the healthcare institutions involved in data collection. In addition, we also appreciate the transgender individuals who participated in our study.