Health-related quality of life of trans people using a specialized health service in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, 2023: a cross-sectional study

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de las personas trans usuarias de un servicio de salud especializado en Manaos, estado de Amazonas, Brasil, 2023: un estudio transversal

Objective  To assess health-related quality of life and associated factors among trans people.

Methods  This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2023. The 12-Item Short- Form Health Survey was used with trans women, trans men, travestis, and non-binary people who were users of a health service in Manaus, capital city of Amazonas state.

Results  A total of 71 participants were included: 36 trans women; 29 trans men; 2 travestis; and 4 non-binary people, with a mean age 30.1 years. The physical component scored 44.6±7.8, and the mental component scored 38.4±11.1. The emotional aspect with a score of 16.0±1.1, was the most affected domain. Paid employment was associated with better mental quality of life, while having lived in street situations was associated with worse physical quality of life, with mean differences of 4.4 (95%CI 2.3;6.9) and -3.3 (95%CI -7.7;2.3) respectively.

Conclusion  Among trans people, the mental component was more affected than the physical, with the greatest impairment observed in the emotional aspect. Socioeconomic characteristics were associated with quality of life.

Keywords
Trans People; Health-Related Quality of Life; Health Services for Transgender People; Cross-Sectional Studies

Main results  The mental component of the quality of life among the trans people assessed was worse than the physical component, with the greatest impairment in the emotional aspect. Trans people with paid employment reported better quality of life, while having lived in street situations was associated with poorer quality of life.

Implications for services  Quality of life helps to understand self-perceived health status and should be considered as a health outcome. It can highlight unmet needs in health services and promote comprehensive, inclusive and welcoming health care.

Perspectives  Health services and the evaluation of therapeutic interventions for trans people should incorporate self-reported health outcomes. These outcomes enable the assessment of care quality and provide support for health actions that are sensitive to the specific needs of this population.