EXPERIENCE OF HEALTH CHALLENGES FACED BY ELDER TRANSGENDER IN LAHORE

Abstract

This paper is aimed to provide an insight to the experience of health challenges faced by transgender community in Lahore, Pakistan through a qualitative method. In Pakistan, transgender individuals are deprived of their rights, they are vulnerable segment of the society, facing different types of issues during their life span on the basis of their gender identities. The information was gathered through in-depth interviews using an interview guide. 10 participants were recruited from two private organizations. Data was organized using thematic analysis. Different themes emerged from the participants’ accounts of their experiences of social support and challenges, and health challenges. Findings of the research indicated that the themes were role and attitude of family, social support, social problems faced by transgender community and experience of health challenges. However, an interesting finding was that one of the participants was supporting his/her family. In conclusion, this research expands the present understanding of health challenges faced by elder transgender by indicating the complications and difficulties of this phenomenon. This research can be used as a medium of understanding for doctors, youth, parents, families, educators, policy makers, health practitioners and also for developing prevention, intervention and treatment strategies to address the issues regarding health.