Dataset Information

Online health information seeking, health literacy, and human papillomavirus vaccination among transgender and gender-diverse people.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The purpose of this study is to describe online health information seeking among a sample of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people compared with cisgender sexual minority people to explore associations with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and whether general health literacy and eHealth literacy moderate this relationship.

Materials and methods

We performed a cross-sectional online survey of TGD and cisgender sexual minority participants from The PRIDE Study, a longitudinal, U.S.-based, national health study of sexual and gender minority people. We employed multivariable logistic regression to model the association of online health information seeking and HPV vaccination.

Results

The online survey yielded 3258 responses. Compared with cisgender sexual minority participants, TGD had increased odds of reporting HPV vaccination (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2) but decreased odds when they had looked for information about vaccines online (aOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9). TGD participants had over twice the odds of reporting HPV vaccination if they visited a social networking site like Facebook (aOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6). No moderating effects from general or eHealth literacy were observed.

Discussion

Decreased reporting of HPV vaccination among TGD people after searching for vaccine information online suggests vaccine hesitancy, which may potentially be related to the quality of online content. Increased reporting of vaccination after using social media may be related to peer validation.

Conclusions

Future studies should investigate potential deterrents to HPV vaccination in online health information to enhance its effectiveness and further explore which aspects of social media might increase vaccine uptake among TGD people.

SUBMITTER: Pho AT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8757308 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceTestosterone treatment is a necessary component of care for some transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Observational studies have reported associations between commencement of gender-affirming hormone therapy and improvements in gender dysphoria and depression, but there is a lack of data from randomized clinical trials.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of testosterone therapy compared with no treatment on gender dysphoria, depression, and suicidality in transgender and gender-diverse adults seeking masculinization.Design, setting, and participantsA 3-month open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted at endocrinology outpatient clinics and primary care clinics specializing in transgender and gender-diverse health in Melbourne, Australia, from November 1, 2021, to July 22, 2022. Participants included transgender and gender-diverse adults aged 18 to 70 years seeking initiation of testosterone therapy.InterventionsImmediate initiation of testosterone commencement (intervention group) or no treatment (standard care waiting list of 3 months before commencement). This design ensured no individuals would be waiting longer than the time to standard care.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome was gender dysphoria, as measured by the Gender Preoccupation and Stability Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depression and the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) to assess suicidality. Questionnaires were undertaken at 0 and 3 months. The evaluable cohort was analyzed.ResultsSixty-four transgender and gender-diverse adults (median [IQR] age, 22.5 [20-27] years) were randomized. Compared with standard care, the intervention group had a decrease in gender dysphoria (mean difference, -7.2 points; 95% CI, -8.3 to -6.1 points; P < .001), a clinically significant decrease in depression (ie, change in score of 5 points on PHQ-9; mean difference, -5.6 points; 95% CI, -6.8 to -4.4 points; P < .001), and a significant decrease in suicidality (mean difference in SIDAS score, -6.5 points; 95% CI, -8.2 to -4.8 points; P < .001). Resolution of suicidality assessed by PHQ-9 item 9 occurred in 11 individuals (52%) with immediate testosterone commencement compared with 1 (5%) receiving standard care (P = .002). Seven individuals reported injection site pain/discomfort and 1 individual reported a transient headache 24 hours following intramuscular administration of testosterone undecanoate. No individual developed polycythemia.Conclusions and relevanceIn this open-label randomized clinical trial of testosterone therapy in transgender and gender-diverse adults, immediate testosterone compared with no treatment significantly reduced gender dysphoria, depression, and suicidality in transgender and gender-diverse individuals desiring testosterone therapy.Trial registrationANZCTR Identifier: ACTRN1262100016864.