Trans Women-Centred HIV Care Model

The Women-Centered HIV Care (WCHC) Model was developed to address healthcare barriers and disparities faced by women and gender diverse people living with HIV. Trans women and transfeminine individuals, who experience disproportionately high rates of HIV acquisition, face unique challenges due to biological, social, political, and historical factors that impact their overall healthcare experiences. This highlights the need for more research focused on improving care for trans women and gender diverse people with transfeminine experiences.

 

The aim of our study was to gather feedback on the WCHC Model to evaluate its acceptability, applicability, usability, and identify gaps or adaptations needed to better serve trans women and gender diverse individuals living with HIV. Grounded in community-based research principles and intersectionality frameworks, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 trans women and transfeminine people residing in Ontario, Canada. Data was analyzed using a descriptive qualitative content analysis approach.

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The results revealed that participants were generally satisfied with the WCHC Model, particularly its person-centered care approach. However, concerns were raised regarding the implementation of the model, primarily due to a lack of understanding among healthcare providers about the social contexts of trans women’s experiences. Participants also highlighted significant limitations within the healthcare system that create barriers to accessing and engaging with WCHC services.

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Our findings emphasize the importance of combining holistic care frameworks, like the WCHC Model, with a deeper understanding of individual and community needs. These critical insights inform our current work with the National Women-Centred HIV Care Model Hub, allowing us to share information and promote knowledge around trans women's and gender diverse people's needs to care providers regarding care delivery considerations.

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