Factors associated with suicidal ideation among travestis and transsexuals receiving assistance from transgender organizations

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva Vol. 26; no. S3; pp. 4955 - 4966
• Main Authors: Santos Silva, Glauber Weder dos, Cardoso Meira, Karina, Medeiros de Azevedo, Dulcian, Ferreira de Sena, Romeika Carla, Fonseca Lins, Suerda Lillian da, Oliveira Dantas, Eder Manuel, Nunes de Miranda, Francisco Arnoldo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva - ABRASCO 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Brasil
• ISSN: 1413-8123; 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320212611.3.32342019

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and explore associated factors among travestis and transsexuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2015 and 2016 with 22 travestis and 36 transsexuals who were members of the four transgender organizations operating in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Associations between suicidal ideation and the categorical variables were measured using the chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and likelihood ratios. Multivariate analysis was performed using robust Poisson regression. The suicidal ideation prevalence rate was 41.4% (95%CI 41.3-54.51%): 13.79% among travestis (95%CI 4.91-22.66%) and 27.61% in transsexuals (95%CI 16.08-39.08%). The prevalence of suicidal ideation was higher among respondents who reported suffering violence at school (PR = 2.05; 95%CI 1.08-3.87) and those experiencing moderate/severe depression (PR = 3.86; 95%CI 1.51-9.83). The fndings suggest that unfavorable school contexts and the presence of depression compromise mental health and contribute to suicidal ideation among travestis and transsexuals.