Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution of transgender women and travestis (TWTs), taking into consideration social vulnerability indicators and the results of rapid syphilis and HIV tests, in Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas state. METHODS: A sampling method for hard-to-reach populations was used. Addresses were categorized according to the social vulnerability index . A total of 339 TWTs were recruited between 2020 and 2021, with 309 having their addresses mapped. RESULTS: The majority (43.4%) lived in peripheral areas, with higher social vulnerability. Place of residence classification was not associated with syphilis (p-value = 0.578) and HIV (p-value = 0.885) positivity rates. Characteristics associated with higher seropositivity for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) included being aged 38 to 58 years, having completed high school, and history of sex work. CONCLUSION: A higher spatial concentration of TWTs was observed in areas with greater social vulnerability, although place of residence was not associated with the positivity rates for the STIs analyzed.