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

Cien Saude Colet. 2021 Nov 15;26(suppl 3):4955-4966. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320212611.3.32342019. eCollection 2021.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

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 findings suggest that unfavorable school contexts and the presence of depression compromise mental health and contribute to suicidal ideation among travestis and transsexuals.

Objetivou-se analisar a prevalência e os fatores associados à ideação suicida em travestis e transexuais. Estudo transversal, realizado entre 2015 e 2016 com travestis (n = 22) e transexuais (n = 36) associadas a quatro organizações civis do Rio Grande do Norte. Avaliou-se a diferença entre as categorias por meio dos testes qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher e de razão de verossimilhança. Realizou-se a análise múltipla por meio da regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. A prevalência de ideação suicida foi de 41,4% (IC 95%: 41,3-54,51%), sendo de 13,79% entre travestis (IC 95%: 4,91-22,66%) e 27,61% entre transexuais (IC 95%: 16,08-39,08%). Observou-se que apresentaram maior prevalência de ideação suicida os participantes com histórico de violência na escola (RP = 2,05; IC 95%: 1,08-3,87) e classificados com níveis depressivos moderado/grave (RP = 3,86; IC 95%: 1,51-9,83). Contexto escolar desfavorável e presença de sintomatologia depressiva parecem prejudicar a saúde mental e colaborar com a ideação suicida de pessoas transexuais e travestis.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • Transgender Persons*