“How we survived a pandemic as transgender men and transmasculine people?”: the search for care trajectories and health access in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the search for care and access to health services by transgender men and transmasculine people living in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2022 and 2023. Methods: Qualitative, socio-anthropological study, carried out with 159 participants living in Brazil. Reflective Thematic Content Analysis and the theoretical framework of therapeutic itineraries were used. Results: The search for care and access to health services has led to the emergence of therapeutic itineraries to maintain immunological protection; adoption of body care; access to psychosocial care devices; strategies to address social vulnerabilities in health; construction of paths to promote wellbeing and spirituality. There was also a worsening of economic and health conditions due to situations of transphobia, interruption of continuity of care, unemployment, lack of access to formal employment and government emergency aid, often caused by the absence of personal documents. Conclusion: The therapeutic itineraries experienced in the search for health care reveal the journey faced to access health services, in the face of obstacles that compromise psychosocial and spiritual well-being and the maintenance of a dignified, safe, and protected life.