Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HBV vaccination coverage among men who have sex with men frequenting gay social venues in five French cities. The 2015 PREVAGAY Study

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the reported HBV vaccination coverage (VC) among men who have sex with men (MSM) frequenting gay social venues in 2015, and to describe the associated factors. An anonymous cross-sectional survey, PREVAGAY 2015, using a probabilistic sampling method (Time-Location Sampling) and the generalized weight-sharing method, was conducted among MSM frequenting bars, saunas, and backrooms in five French cities (Paris, Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, and Nice) between September and December 2015. A behavioral questionnaire and a self-collected capillary blood sample from the fingertip deposited on filter paper were collected. Testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was performed using the MonolisaTM HBsAg ULTRA ELISA kit. Among the 2,645 MSM included in the analysis, 18 were HBsAg-positive. The prevalence of HBV was estimated at 0.6% [95% CI: 0.2–1.3], with no significant difference between cities. Among HIV-positive MSM (n = 433), prevalence was estimated at 1.5% [0.6–3.6]. Reported HBV vaccination coverage was estimated at 63.0% [60.0–65.9]. These results support the dissemination of comprehensive sexual health prevention messages that combine vaccination with screening initiatives.

Author(s): Vaux Sophie, Chevaliez Stéphane, Saboni Leïla, Sauvage Claire, Sommen Cécile, Alexandre Antonio, Lot Florence, Velter Annie

Publishing year: 2018

Pages: 195-203

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2018, n° 11, p. 195-203

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