@article{ref1,
title="Violence and mental health among gender-diverse individuals enrolled in a human immunodeficiency virus program in Karnataka, South India",
journal="Transgender health",
year="2019",
author="Thompson, Laura H. and Dutta, Sumit and Bhattacharjee, Parinita and Leung, Stella and Bhowmik, Anindita and Prakash, Ravi and Isac, Shajy and Lorway, Robert R.",
volume="4",
number="1",
pages="316-325",
abstract="<b>Purpose:</b> Gender-diverse individuals in India face considerable discrimination, stigma, and violence. There is a dearth of published literature describing experiences of violence among this population and potential links to mental health. <b>Methods:</b> A questionnaire was administered to 282 study participants, 18 years of age and older, who self-identified as hijra, kothi, double decker, or bisexual and were actively enrolled in a local HIV prevention program in Bangalore, India in 2012. Responses were used to calculate a composite depression/anxiety score. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and experiences of physical and sexual violence in the previous six months were tested and differences in depression/anxiety score based on experiences of violence were explored. <b>Results:</b> Recent physical violence was common among study participants and was reported among 46% of nirvan (emasculated) hijras (transgender), 42% of akwa (not emasculated) hijras, and 25% of kothis (feminine acting males). Rape in the previous year was particularly common among akwa hijras (39%). Factors associated with being raped included younger age, less education, and employment in basti (blessings), sex work, chela (disciple of hijra guru), or at a community-based organization. Kothis had the highest depression/anxiety score. No significant difference in depression/anxiety score based on recent history of physical violence or rape was found. <b>Conclusions:</b> Physical violence and poor mental health are common among gender-diverse individuals in Bangalore, Karnataka. There is a need for services that cater to the unique mental health needs of gender-diverse individuals in India, following rights-based approaches that address the underlying roots of oppression they encounter.<br><br>© Laura H. Thompson et al. 2019; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2688-4887",
doi="10.1089/trgh.2018.0051",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2018.0051"
}