The introduction of non-native organisms is a leading cause of species imperilment. Detailed studies of damaging invasive species contribute importantly to the development of effective strategies for conserving biodiversity. Among the many problematic invasive social insects, the western yellowjacket Vespula pensylvanica represents an emerging and harmful introduction. Because Hawaii lacks any native eusocial insects, the invasion of V. pensylvanica poses a potentially devastating threat to the native and largely endemic biota of this region. This study examines the underlying mechanisms of a social wasp invasion in Hawaii. Using ecological approaches and molecular methods, I quantify the effects of an invasive yellowjacket on native prey and competitors. This study identifies factors affecting invasion success, and contributes to the development of effective management strategies that minimize the ecological impacts of invasive social insects on native communities

Undocumented immigrant trans Latinas face significant barriers to attaining gender-affirming health care and may use nonprescribed feminizing hormones. Without medical supervision, nonprescribed hormone use may lead to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine if a history of being an undocumented immigrant was associated with nonprescribed hormone use among trans Latinas. We conducted a secondary analysis using baseline data from the 2016 Trans National study done in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two hundred five trans Latinas participated in the study, of whom 75 (37%) reported a history of being undocumented. We fitted a multivariable logistic regression model to determine whether having a history of being an undocumented immigrant was associated with nonprescribed hormone use while controlling for age, income, time living in San Francisco, history of sex work, and history of problems with accessing health care. The prevalence of nonprescribed hormone use was 55.9% among trans Latinas overall; however, for trans Latinas with a history of undocumented immigration status, the prevalence was 68%. There was a significant, independent association between nonprescribed hormone use and undocumented status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.47-6.97). We also found that having a history of sex work was associated with nonprescribed hormone use (aOR=5.72; 95% CI=2.69-12.18). The prevalence of nonprescribed hormone use among trans Latinas was high and is associated with a history of undocumented status and sex work. These associations may indicate health care avoidance related to concerns of being criminalized due to their documentation status or source of income (i.e., sex work) among trans Latinas. These findings underscore the need to reduce barriers in gender-affirming care to increase access to medically supervised hormone use, particularly among individuals with a history of undocumented status and engaged in sex work.

Background

Substance use is highly prevalent among transgender (trans*) females and has been associated with negative health outcomes, including HIV infection. Little is known about psychosocial risk factors that may influence the onset of substance use among trans*female youth, which can contribute to health disparities during adulthood.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis of a study on HIV risk and resilience among trans*female youth (N=292). Prevalence of substance use was assessed and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, gender-related discrimination, parental drug or alcohol problems (PDAP) and multiple substance use outcomes.

Results

Most (69%) of the trans*female youth reported recent drug use. In multivariable analyses, those with PTSD had increased odds of drug use [AOR=1.94 (95% CI=1.09-3.44)]. Those who experienced gender-related discrimination had increased odds of drug use [AOR=2.28 (95% CI=1.17-4.44)], drug use concurrent with sex [AOR=2.35 (95% CI=1.11-4.98)] and use of multiple drugs [AOR=3.24 (95% CI=1.52-6.88)]. Those with psychological distress had increased odds of using multiple heavy drugs [AOR=2.27 (95% CI=1.01-5.12)]. Those with PDAP had increased odds of drugs use [AOR=2.62 (95% CI=1.43-4.82)], drug use concurrent with sex [AOR=2.01 (95% CI, 1.15-3.51)] and use of multiple drugs [AOR=2.10 (95% CI=1.22-3.62)].

Conclusions

Substance use is highly prevalent among trans*female youth and was significantly associated with psychosocial risk factors. In order to effectively address substance use among trans*female youth, efforts must address coping related to gender-based discrimination and trauma. Furthermore, structural level interventions aiming to reduce stigma and gender-identity discrimination might also be effective.

Purpose

Trans*female youth (TFY) are an underserved population at risk for a variety of poor health outcomes, in part related to barriers to accessing health and mental health care.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected with 250 TFY aged 16-24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2012 to 2014. Logistic regression was used to test associations between sociodemographic variables and barriers to gender identity-based medical and mental health care.

Results

Having a history of unstable housing was associated with significantly higher odds of problems accessing both medical care (odds ratio: 2.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-4.13) and mental health care due to gender identity (odds ratio 2.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-6.45). Conversely, identifying as genderqueer/genderfluid, Latina, or living in dependent housing was associated with access to either medical or mental health care.

Conclusions

Interventions are needed to address housing and discrimination barring access to health care among TFY.

Cold narcosis is commonly used for immobilizing bees and has been found to have no effect on mortality and fecundity in honeybees. We present the first study examining the effect of cold narcosis on recruitment and foraging in bumblebees. In a controlled laboratory setting, we observed that the number of foraging Bombus occidentalis, a New World bumblebee, increased after the focal forager returned to the nest with rich 2.5 M sucrose solution. However, cold narcosis (˜4° C, ˜5 min) significantly reduced the ability of B. occidentalis foragers to incite nest mates to forage in a flight arena: 22% fewer total foragers and 56% fewer new recruits were present in the flight arena 10 min after the return of a cold-treated bee compared to the numbers present after the return of an unmanipulated bee. These results demonstrate unanticipated effects of cold anaesthesia on bumblebee foraging behaviour, suggesting that the use of cold anaesthesia should be treated with caution in bumblebee foraging studies. © 2006 International Bee Research Association.

INTRODUCTION:Transgender women may face the highest prevalence of HIV of any population, experiencing a disproportionate burden of disease frequently confirmed in surveys throughout the developing and developed world. However, few studies have been conducted specifically for transgender women in China. This study aimed to measure HIV prevalence and explore risk factors for infection in a diverse sample of Chinese transgender women to help advocate for prevention and care interventions for this population. METHODS:From July 2018 to May 2019, we adapted a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) approach to recruit a diverse sample of 250 transgender women through chains of peer referrals in two cities of eastern China, Nanjing and Suzhou. Eligible participants (i.e. 18 years of age or older, living in Jiangsu province and assigned male sex at birth but currently self-identified as a gender different from male) completed a self-administered questionnaire on a mobile phone to collect demographic characteristics and risk behaviours and underwent HIV testing. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:The survey sample was young (82% under age 35 years), with 28.8% having a university degree, 39.2% reporting work at entertainment venues, 47.6% ever having taken hormones and 6.4% being diagnosed with an STI in the last year. One in five (20.8%) reported having engaged in sex work. HIV prevalence was 14.8% (95% CI 10.6 to 19.8), with 75.6% of those testing HIV positive reporting they were already aware of their serostatus. In multivariate analysis, HIV prevalence was significantly higher among transgender women above the age of 24 years, those who work at entertainment venues, who never have taken hormones, and who had been diagnosed with an STI in the last year. CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of HIV among transgender women in our study, at 14.8%, is among the highest detected in any population in eastern China. Chinese transgender women may therefore follow the disparity in the burden of HIV noted worldwide. Data support policies to prioritize transgender women for HIV testing outreach, for in-depth research to better understand the specific drivers of infection in this population, and for trans-friendly HIV care and prevention programmes to address their specific needs.

Background

Trans women face tremendous social inequities as well as disproportionate rates of HIV and substance use, yet disaggregated substance use data specific to trans women remain limited.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of baseline data from the Trans*National Study (2016-2017) surveying trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area (n = 629). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze socio-demographic and environmental correlates of substance use, and bivariate associations between substance use and HIV-associated outcomes are presented alongside prevalence data.

Results

Over half (52.9%) reported using substances in the prior year, most frequently marijuana, methamphetamine, and crack/cocaine. Those with unmet gender-affirming health care needs, lack of insurance, or a history of experiencing racial violence, transphobic violence, adult housing instability, or extreme poverty had higher odds of substance use. Sex work and condomless anal sex were also independently associated with substance use.

Conclusions

Among this sample of trans women, substance use and substance use concurrent with sex were highly prevalent, and associated with a number of socioeconomic and health care needs. These findings corroborate the need for holistic and intersectional efforts to reduce substance use and HIV risk.

Background

To determine if improvements in social determinants of health for trans women and decreases in transphobic discrimination and violence occurred over three study periods during which extensive local programs were implemented to specifically address longstanding inequities suffered by the transgender community.

Methods

Interviewer-administered surveys from repeated cross-sectional Transwomen Empowered to Advance Community Health (TEACH) studies in 2010, 2013 and 2016-2017 in San Francisco collected experiences with transphobia violence and discrimination. Respondent-driven sampling was used to obtain a sample of participants who identified as a trans woman.

Results

Violence due to gender identity was prevalent; in each study period, verbal abuse or harassment was reported by over 83% of participants, and physical abuse or harassment was reported by over 56%. Adverse social determinants of health including homelessness, living below the poverty limit, methamphetamine use, depression, PTSD, and anxiety all significantly increased from 2010 to 2016. When testing for trends, housing discrimination and physical violence were both more likely in 2016-2017 compared to the two earlier study periods. Housing discrimination (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.00-1.98) and physical violence due to gender identity/presentation (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.00-1.92) both significantly increased from 2010 to 2016.

Conclusion

Our findings are particularly alarming during a period when significant public health resources and community-based initiatives specifically for trans women were implemented and could have reasonably led us to expect improvements. Despite these efforts, physical violence and housing discrimination among trans women worsened during the study periods. To ensure future improvements, research and interventions need to shift the focus and burden from trans people to cisgender people who are the perpetuators of anti-trans sentiment, stigma, discrimination and victimization.

This study examined the HIV risk behaviors and life experiences of 151 transgender female youth, ages 15–24, in Los Angeles and Chicago. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression modeling were used to identify life factors associated with ever having engaged in sex work. Sixty-seven percent of participants had ever engaged in sex work and 19% self-reported being HIV positive. Many factors were significantly associated with sex work for this sample population. A final multivariate logistic regression model found that lower education status, homelessness, use of street drugs, and perceived social support remained significantly associated with sex work when controlling for other factors. Findings highlight the complex HIV risk environment and suggest a need for sex work initiation research for transgender female youth. HIV prevention efforts for this population need to include broad-based approaches that take into account individual, social, and community-level factors relevant to the lives of transgender female youth.