Browsing by Author "Frontini, Emilia"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Engaging female sex workers in their health care through stakeholder mapping and participatory analysis in Buenos Aires, Argentina
    (2024-04) Esandi, Maria Eugenia; Walmsley, Sharon; Zalazar, Virginia; Panizoni, Estefania; Serrao, Camila; Acuña, Rodrigo; Frontini, Emilia; Zeltman, Ana Clara; Trejo, Maria Celia; Cardozo, Nadir; Romero, Marcelo; Orellano, Georgina; Ortiz, Zulma; Loutfy, Mona; Duran, Adriana; Cahn, Pedro; Aristegui, Ines; Fink, Valeria; MAS por Nosotras Study Group
    Cis and trans female sex workers (FSW) face marginalization and struggle to access sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these disparities. January-April 2023, we conducted stakeholder mapping (SM) with SRHR policies and programs decision-makers, implementers and users in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This strategy aims to identify, classify and categorize stakeholders based on the power and agreement level of SRHR policies and plans implemented during the pandemic. A qualitative study was conducted through focus groups with FSW and interviews with healthcare providers analyzed with the DEPICT model (methodology for collaborative data interpretation with the community) to investigate facilitators and barriers from their perspectives. Considering the challenges in identifying the appropriate stakeholders, this approach became crucial. The landscape is dynamic, influenced by the sociopolitical context, and recent shifts in government. Following SM, we categorized 147 stakeholders Supporters (68%) and promoters (16%) outnumbered blockers (10%), observers (3%) and neutral (3%) in implementing new policies aimed at SRHR services for FSW. The qualitative interviews revealed barriers including the pervasive impact of intersectional stigma and discrimination, violence, failures in intersectoral articulation and coordination, and difficulties in scheduling of appointments for SRHR services. Facilitators identified improvements in transgender healthcare services in the last decade and the emergence of community assets as pivotal, particularly during the pandemic. SM was invaluable for identifying and characterizing the priorities of key stakeholders for designing policies affecting SRHR services. The inclusion of community perspective, while challenging, enriched our understanding of barriers and facilitators while empowering the community to express their needs. Despite structural barriers and challenges posed by the pandemic, community organizations have displayed resilience, emerging as a vital support system for FSW. We highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and comprehensive approaches in addressing the unique needs of FSW in Argentina and similar contexts.
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    If I'm at home, I do it at home: Qualitative study on HIV self-testing among transgender women in Argentina
    (2022) De Luca, Amalia; Zalazar, Virginia; Salusso, Diego; Frontini, Emilia; Fabian, Solange; Fernana Cardozo, Nadir; Cesar, Carina; Cahn, Pedro; Sued, Omar; Aristegui, Ines
    Background: Evidence among key populations supports acceptability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) due to its privacy and convenience. However, insufficient research has been done among transgender women (TGW), especially in Latin America. Consequently, the aim of this study was to explore the acceptability, perceptions and recommendations for HIVST implementation among TGW in Buenos Aires. Methods: A focus group was conducted in July 2019. Particpants were invited to touch and learn about a displayed HIVST kit. The following main topics were explored: acceptability, reasons for seeking self-testing, preferences for training, distribution, periodicity and recommendations for HIVST implementation. Results: The sample consisted of 12 TGWs; mean age of 26 years (IQR = 22–28); 66% had history of sex-work. The main motivations for seeking HIVST were convenience, privacy, and usage to reduce stigma and discrimination by health-care providers. Recommendations for HIVST were: distribution from primary health centers and trans-sensitive centers; affordable price; assistance by peer health promoters; and the provision of clear written and video instructions. Conclusions: Tailored implementation of HIVST can increase HIV testing rates, early detection, and linkage to HIV-care in this high-prevalence group. This study provided community-driven suggestions to inform and adapt an HIVST feasibility pilot study and future implementation in Argentina.
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    Los aspectos esenciales para la atención psicológica a personas trans y no binarias
    (Fundación Aiglé, 2022-12) Aristegui, Ines; Frontini, Emilia; Zalazar, Virginia
    Las personas trans y no binarias atraviesan múltiples episodios de estigma y discriminación debido a su identidad de género en diferentes ámbitos de su vida (Grant, Mottet & Tanis, 2011; Ministerio Público de la Defensa, 2016; Fundación Huésped, 2014). Entre ellos que se destacan episodios de estigma y discriminación en el ámbito familiar (56%) y expulsión de la casa familiar a edades tempranas (26.4%) (Fundación Huésped, 2014). Este rechazo y expulsión familiar, puede llevar a la deserción escolar (49.3%), generando dificultades en acceder a un empleo formal, y por lo que el 52.2% de las feminidades trans recurren actualmente al trabajo sexual como única fuente de ingreso (Ministerio Público de la Defensa, 2016). En cuanto al ámbito de salud, 4 de 10 feminidades trans y 5 de 10 masculinidades trans evitan asistir al sistema de salud, y 7 de 10 masculinidades trans y personas no binarias evitan realizar consultas ginecológicas debido a experiencias previas de discriminación y al miedo de sufrirlas nuevamente, lo que conlleva una desatención de su salud (Fundación Huésped, 2014; 2021; Grant, Mottet & Tanis, 2011; Ministerio Público de la Defensa, 2016;). Todas estas situaciones generan un contexto de vulnerabilidad e impacta negativamente en su salud mental (Radusky et al., 2020). Para poder trabajar con personas trans y no binarias primero es importante clarificar algunos términos. Los mismos varían -muchas veces- entre disciplinas, culturas y momentos históricos. Sin embargo, existe un consenso en relación a algunos aspectos clave que ayudan a orientar la atención para esta comunidad. El listado a continuación no pretende ser exhaustivo, pero sí enumera los aspectos básicos y los conceptos generales a tener en cuenta.
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    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
    (2021-07) Radusky, Pablo; Cardozo, Nadir; Duarte, Mariana; Fabian, Solange; Frontini, Emilia; Sued, Omar; Aristegui, Ines
    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"¡