DOI: 10.3886/icpsr31721.v1
title: Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study (THIS), 2005-2006
title: Version 1

description: The Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study (THIS) was a multi-phase, multi-year project to improve the health of transgender Virginians. THIS included a quantitative survey, conducted from September 2005 to July 2006 with 387 respondents and a final analysis sample of 350, including 229 MTFs (male-to-females) and 121 FTMs (female-to-males). Participants were drawn from 60 of the 136 cities and counties in Virginia. The conceptual model that guided the study posits that transgenderism and its associated social stigma are root causes of poor health status, producing societal factors such as the prioritization of access to transgender-related medical services by transgender people, health care provider ignorance of transgender health, discrimination, and low self-esteem. These societal factors produce mediating factors such as provider hostility/insensitivity, lack of health insurance, insurance failure to cover transgender care, poverty, sex work, substance abuse, and gender identity validation through sex. The final products of these mediators are direct risk factors including self-medication with transgender hormones, injection silicone use, unprotected sex, and injection drug use. The survey measured demographics, access to regular medical services, access to transgender care services, employment discrimination, housing discrimination, sexual and physical violence, social support and self-esteem, suicidal ideation and attempts, substance abuse and tobacco use, HIV knowledge and perception of risk, HIV risk behaviors, HIV testing and status, and access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. Demographic variables include sex, gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, age, language, education, birthplace, residency status, income, and occupation.
description: The Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study (THIS) was a multi-phase, multi-year project to improve the health of transgender Virginians. The conceptual model that guided the study posits that transgenderism and its associated social stigma are root causes of poor health status, producing societal factors such as the prioritization of access to transgender-related medical services by transgender people, health care provider ignorance of transgender health, discrimination, and low self-esteem.
description: The survey instrument includes demographic variables such as gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, preferred language, housing status, education, income, children, and employment status. Additionally, the survey covers a broad range of areas that impact transgender people. These include hormone use, surgeries, access to health care, health care utilization, health-related practices, health screening, HIV status, HIV-related care, alternative health practices, mental health (including physical and sexual abuse, substance), sexual behavior, relationships and supports.
description: community-based
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: Public Use Data DS2: Restricted Use Data
description: Individuals aged 18 years and older who lived in or attended school in Virginia during the data collection period and who self-identified as transgender. Smallest Geographic Unit: county
description: mail questionnaire; on-site questionnaireThe Virginia Transgender Task Force (TTF) included individuals from across the state of Virginia who were community members, service providers, and other allies. Created prior to developing the study design, the TTF provided guidance and assistance throughout development and implementation of the survey, and spoke about the study to community and professional audiences. Support for TTF meetings and travel to central locations was provided by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Division of Disease Prevention. VDH continues to support the TTF, providing staff and resources to improve access to healthcare and related services for transgender communities throughout the state.