High Hepatitis B Prevalence and Vaccination Needs Among Transgender Women and Men Sex Workers in Barcelona, Spain
Antuori Torres, Adrián (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Not, Anna (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Mesías-Gazmuri, Jocelyn (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
González Soler, Victoria (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Montoro-Fernandez, Marcos (Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya)
Folch, Cinta (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Saludes, Verónica (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Villar, Marta (STOP (Barcelona, Catalunya))
Meroño, Merçè (Fundació Àmbit Prevenció (Barcelona, Catalunya))
Paytubi, Sonia (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge)
Alemany, Laia (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge)
Casabona-Barbarà, Jordi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Pediatria, Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i de Medicina Preventiva i Salut Pública)
Martró, Elisa (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
SexCohort Group

Date:	2024
Abstract:	Background. Transgender women sex workers (TWSWs) and men sex workers (MSWs) are especially vulnerable to acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We aimed to describe HBV prevalence (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and core antibody [HBcAb]) and associated risk factors for HBV exposure (HBcAb), to assess vaccination status and risk factors for no prior vaccination, and to compare HBV prevalence and vaccination status between TWSWs and MSWs. Methods. The SexCohort study was advertised to TWSWs and MSWs through several communication channels. At cohort entry through 2 community-based organizations in Barcelona, the study population was screened for HBV and other sexually transmitted infections, and an epidemiological questionnaire was administered (n = 271). Results. Overall, 93. 0% of participants were migrants, mostly from South and Central American countries. HBsAg prevalence was 1. 9% (TWSWs, 2. 4%; vs MSWs, 0. 9%; P =. 42), and previous exposure to HBV was 31. 8% (TWSWs, 38. 5%; vs MSWs, 20. 8%; P =. 002). Over 5 years of sex work (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 9. 35), prior exposure to Treponema pallidum (aOR, 3. 49), and treatment with anxiolytic drugs (aOR, 3. 23) were associated with HBV exposure. Overall, 33. 7% of participants exhibited immunity from vaccination (TWSWs, 30. 8%; vs MSWs, 38. 61%; P <. 001), while 34. 4% were candidates to HBV vaccination (TWSWs, 30. 8%; vs MSWs, 40. 6%; P <. 001). Never having been on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (odds ratio [OR], 4. 23) and non-Spanish origin (OR, 5. 00) were associated with no prior HBV vaccination. Conclusions. There is a need to reinforce screening and vaccination programs aimed at TWSWs and MSWs as integrated services offered at the community centers commonly accessed by these populations.
Grants:	Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI18/01481
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Hepatitis B virus ; Men sex workers ; Risk factors ; Trans women sex workers ; Vaccination
Published in:	Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Vol. 11 Núm. 8 (July 2024) , ISSN 2328-8957

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae410
PMID: 39130078

9 p, 598.0 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut d'Investigació en Ciencies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP)
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