Health Service Experiences of Transgender Individuals from Foreign Backgrounds in Finland

Abstract Background Internationally, an increasing body of scholarship has focused on the experiences of transgender individuals when accessing gender-affirming healthcare. However, the experiences of transgender individuals who belong to the foreign background population in Finland have rarely been studied. This study aims to fill the gap in research and contribute to the understanding of the experiences of acquiring gender-affirming healthcare among those, who fall into the intersections of transness and also identify of foreign origin in Finland. Methods Fourteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), through the framework of intersectionality. The interviews were part of a broader sample of qualitative data, collected about the experiences of sexual and gender minorities among the foreign origin populations in Finland. Results The analysis showed two main interconnected themes. Firstly, perceived barriers when accessing gender-affirming care. In this theme, the intersections of transgender identity, foreign background, class, and age affected the experiences of the individuals. Secondly, the necessity of “performing identities:” the intersections of class, transgender identity, and race affected those. Conclusions The findings of the current study suggest that the intersectional aspects of individual identities create structural inequalities in the Finnish gender-affirmation healthcare system. To tackle these inequalities, further research is needed on the healthcare experiences of gender minorities in Finland both within and outside the scope of transgender-specific healthcare. Key messages • Intersectional aspects of individual identities create structural inequalities in accessing gender-affirming healthcare. • Further research is needed on the healthcare experiences of gender minorities that examines health and wellbeing using an intersectional lens.


Background:
Internationally, an increasing body of scholarship has focused on the experiences of transgender individuals when accessing gender-affirming healthcare. However, the experiences of transgender individuals who belong to the foreign background population in Finland have rarely been studied. This study aims to fill the gap in research and contribute to the understanding of the experiences of acquiring gender-affirming healthcare among those, who fall into the intersections of transness and also identify of foreign origin in Finland.

of acquirin
gender-affirming healthcare among those, who fall into the intersections of transness and also identify of foreign origin in Finland.


Methods:

Fourteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), through the framework of intersectionality. The interviews were part of a broader sample of qualitative data, collected about the experiences of sexual and gender minorities among the foreign origin populations in Finland.


Results:

The analysis showed two main interco

Methods:
Fourteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), through the framework of intersectionality. The interviews were part of a broader sample of qualitative data, collected about the experiences of sexual and gender minorities among the foreign origin populations in Finland.

Results:
The analysis showed two main interconnected themes. Firstly, perceived barriers when accessing gender-affirming care. In this theme, the intersections of transgender identity, foreign background, class, and age affected the experiences of the individuals. Secondly, the necessity of ''performing identities:'' the intersections of class, transgender identity, and race affected those.

ected the
es. Firstly, perceived barriers when accessing gender-affirming care. In this theme, the intersections of transgender identity, foreign background, class, and age affected the experiences of the individuals. Secondly, the necessity of ''performing identities:'' the intersections of class, transgender identity, and race affected those.

onclusion
:

The findings of the current study suggest that the intersectional aspects of individual identities create structural inequalities in the Finnish gender-affirmation healthcare system. To tackle these inequalities, further research is needed on the healthcare experiences of gender minorities in Finland both within and outside the scope of transgender-specific healthcare.


Key m The findings of the current study suggest that the intersectional aspects of individual identities create structural inequalities in the Finnish gender-affirmation healthcare system. To tackle these inequalities, further research is needed on the healthcare experiences of gender minorities in Finland both within and outside the scope of transgender-specific healthcare.

sages:

Inter
Intersectional aspects of individual identities create structural inequalities in accessing gender-affirming healthcare. Further research is needed on the healthcare experiences of gender minorities that examines health and wellbeing using an intersectional lens.
ectional aspects of individual identities create structural inequalities in accessing gender-affirming healthcare. Further research is needed on the healthcare experiences of gender minorities that examines health and wellbeing using an intersectional lens.


11.M. Workshop: Vaccination hesitancy in the Western Balkans and inclusive governance

Abstract citation ID: ck

11.M. Workshop: Vaccination hesitancy in the Western Balkans and inclusive governance
Abstract citation ID: ckac129.734 Vaccine hesitancy has been identified as one of the crucial contributors to the global decline in vaccination coverage for several well-established vaccines in previous decades and is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten threats to global health. In developing countries, the leading reasons for under-vaccination appear to be the lack of access, low education and socio-economic status. In developed countries psychological, social, and contextual factors are defined as main drivers of vaccine hesitancy. With the COVID-19 pandemic the threat of vaccine hesitancy has become more evident and is now in the focus of strategies and efforts to improve and strengthen the interventions to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination coverage. Despite the availability of multiple effective vaccines against COVID-19, only 40% of population of Wester Balkans in average has been completely vaccinated (with a complete initial protocol),

129.734 Vaccin
hesitancy has been identified as one of the crucial contributors to the global decline in vaccination coverage for several well-established vaccines in previous decades and is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten threats to global health n developing countries, the leading reasons for under-vaccination appear to be the lack of access, low education and socio-economic status. In developed countries psychological, social, and contextual factors are defined as main drivers of vaccine hesitancy. With the COVID-19 pandemic the threat of vaccine hesitancy has become more evident and is now in the focus of strategies and efforts to improve and strengthen the interventions to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination coverage. Despite the availability of multiple effective vaccines against COVID-19, only 40% of population of Wester Balkans in average has been completely vaccinated (with a complete initial protocol), 


by: EURO HEALTH GROUP (Denmark), School of Public Health & Health Management (Serb 