Awareness of chronic hepatitis B and C in men who have sex with men in Belgium: epidemiological survey and on-site screening.

HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS C SEXUAL HEALTH Sexual Behaviour Sexual and Gender Minorities

Journal

Sexually transmitted infections
ISSN: 1472-3263
Titre abrégé: Sex Transm Infect
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9805554

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
02 Jul 2024
Historique:
received: 07 07 2023
accepted: 11 05 2024
medline: 4 7 2024
pubmed: 4 7 2024
entrez: 3 7 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

To eliminate hepatitis B and C virus (HBV/HCV) as a public health threat by 2030, the WHO focuses on screening key populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM).This study aims to assess HBV and HCV knowledge and awareness and HCV prevalence in MSM in Belgium. First, a questionnaire was designed to assess MSM's knowledge of HBV and HCV infection (disease process, vaccination, treatment and transmission routes). This questionnaire was conducted online, and by means of a tablet-based face-to-face questionnaire at the Antwerp and Belgian Pride. Second, HCV and HIV prevalence data were collected during outreach projects and office screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) organised by Sensoa and Exaequo, a Flemish and Walloon sexual health organisation. 300 MSM completed the questionnaire (median age 36 years; 7.7% HIV+). Mean overall survey scores were low (HBV: 41.1%; HCV: 39.8%). Few participants identified all transmission routes correctly (HBV: 15%; HCV 1%).The degree of education was significantly correlated with HBV knowledge and showed a trend towards correlation with HCV knowledge. HCV knowledge was significantly correlated with high-risk sexual behaviour.The prevalence of HCV and HIV was 0.3% and 1.0%, respectively, in MSM attending commercial gay venues and 0% and 1.9% in MSM attending office STI screening. Knowledge of HBV and HCV infection in MSM is poor. More awareness campaigns are needed, focusing on frequent HCV risk factors (group sex, chemsex, receptive fisting, and sharing of anal toys and anal douching devices), especially targeting low-educated MSM. HBV vaccination of MSM requires continued attention.The prevalence of HCV and HIV was remarkably low in commercial gay venues and may be higher in older MSM or in subcultures where risk factors coexist (eg, chemsex). The cost-effectiveness of internet-based approaches with subsequent at-home testing needs to be evaluated in the future.

Identifiants

pubmed: 38960601
pii: sextrans-2023-055912
doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-055912
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Informations de copyright

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Competing interests: WV and JS have received research funding from Gilead Sciences and AbbVie. WV has been a speaker on lectures sponsored by Gilead Sciences and AbbVie. MC received a travel grant from Gilead Sciences.

Auteurs

Marie Coessens (M)

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vitaz, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium marie.coessens@vitaz.be.
Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wilrijk, Belgium.

Jeoffrey Schouten (J)

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vitaz, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.

Tom Holvoet (T)

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vitaz, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
Ghent University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.

Wim Verlinden (W)

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vitaz, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wilrijk, Belgium.

Classifications MeSH