Stigma in doctors’ and nurses’ perception regarding prenatal care for transgender men

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the stigma evidenced in doctors’ and nurses’ perception regarding prenatal care for transgender men.

Methods

A qualitative study developed with nine health professionals (six nurses and three doctors) working in Family Health Units in a municipality in Bahia. In-depth interviews were carried out, subjected to reflective thematic analysis and interpretation based on the theory of social stigma and the concept of cisheteronormativity.

Results

Two topics were derived that explained the establishment of labels and stereotypes on the body, mind and gender identity of pregnant trans men: professional (un)preparedness and distancing from cisheteronormative demands and perspectives for prenatal care for trans men. Elements of stigma observed were distance, labels, stereotype, discredit and discrimination. Such elements (stigmatizing perceptions) manifested themselves within the logic of normality and cisgender equality of trans men’s health needs in the prenatal context.

Conclusion

There is stigma in doctors’ and nurses’ perception regarding prenatal care for trans men. Stigmatization can negatively impact the quality of prenatal care and trans men’s health and safety in the pregnancy and puerperal cycle, anticipating thoughts, attitudes and practices that contribute to the deterioration of transmasculine identity during pregnancy.

Transgender persons; Masculinity; Sexual and gender minorities; Gender norms; Social stigma; Prenatal care; Social support; Primary health care