Evaluation of Translife Care: An Intervention to Address Social Determinants of Engagement in HIV Care Among Transgender Women of Color

The TransLife Care (TLC) project was developed to address the structural factors that act as barriers to HIV care among transgender women of color. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and initial efficacy of the TLC project; primary HIV care outcomes included linkage to HIV care, engagement in care, retention in care, use of ART and viral suppression among N = 120 participants. In multivariable analysis, receipt of the intervention (versus none), was associated with any HIV care visit (aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.25–3.37; p = 0.005), more total HIV care visits (aRR 1.45; 95% CI 1.09–1.94; p = 0.011), being retained in care (aOR 1.58; 95% CI 1.03–2.44; p = 0.038), and having a viral load test done (aOR 1.95; 95% CI 1.23–3.09; p = 0.004). We conclude that a structural intervention, designed and delivered by the focus population, that directly addresses social determinants, is feasible and efficacious to promote HIV care engagement among transgender women of color.