Hepatitis B and C Screening and Linkage to Care in Migrants From Endemic Countries in Barcelona Through a Community Action
Por:
Not, A, Ouaarab-Essadek, H, Montoro, M, Treviño, B, Buti, M, Morillas, RM, Bordoy, AE, Folch, C, Majó, X, Casabona, J, Prat, JGI and Martró, E
Publicada:
1 jun 2025
Resumen:
Background and AimsMigrants from endemic areas are key populations for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection screening in Europe. This study assessed the feasibility and outcomes of a community action that combined education, screening, and simplified access to care for migrants in Barcelona.MethodsAdult migrants from Pakistan, Romania, and Senegal were included from 2021 to 2023, through a community action involving education, an epidemiological questionnaire, and rapid testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibodies. If positive, DBS samples were collected for laboratory confirmation. Viremic cases were referred to an International Health Unit (IHU).ResultsOverall, 786 participants were included (346 from Pakistan, 304 from Senegal and 136 from Romania). Previous screening for HBV and HCV was 8.0% and 7.7%, respectively. HBsAg prevalence was 0.9% for migrants from Pakistan, 8.2% for those from Senegal and 1.4% for those from Romania (n = 30/786, 23 new diagnoses). Among these, 69.6% attended the IHU and were HBV-DNA positive, but none met treatment criteria. Anti-HCV prevalence was 3.5%, 0.7% and 1.4% for migrants from Pakistan, Senegal and Romania, respectively (n = 16/768, 12 new diagnoses), and HCV-RNA prevalence was 0.9%, 0.3% and 0.7%, respectively (N = 6, all new diagnoses); 4 (66.6%) cases were linked to treatment and two were cured.ConclusionsThis novel community action successfully reached migrants in a situation of vulnerability and provided them access to testing and care. The high prevalence observed and the limited self-knowledge of their HBV and HCV status justify targeted screening in these groups.
Filiaciones:
Not, A:
Univ Autonoma Barcelona UAB, Genet & Microbiol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Germans Trias & Pujol Res Inst & Hosp IGTP, Lab Clin Metropolitana Nord LCMN, Microbiol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Inst Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Invest Biomed Red Epidemiol & Salud Publ, Madrid, Spain
Ouaarab-Essadek, H:
Drassanes Vall dHebron Ctr Int Hlth & Infect Dis, Community & Publ Hlth Team ESPIC, Barcelona, Spain
Montoro, M:
Agencia Salut Publ Catalunya ASPCAT, Ctr Estudis Epidemiol ITS & Sida Catalunya CEEISCA, Barcelona, Spain
Treviño, B:
Drassanes Vall dHebron Ctr Int Hlth & Infect Dis, Community & Publ Hlth Team ESPIC, Barcelona, Spain
Buti, M:
Hosp Univ Vall Hebron, Hepatol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Inst Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Invest Biomed Red Enfermedades Hepat & D, Madrid, Spain
:
Inst Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Invest Biomed Red Enfermedades Hepat & D, Madrid, Spain
Hosp Badalona Germans Trias & Pujol, Hepatol Unit, Barcelona, Spain
:
Germans Trias & Pujol Res Inst & Hosp IGTP, Lab Clin Metropolitana Nord LCMN, Microbiol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Folch, C:
Inst Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Invest Biomed Red Epidemiol & Salud Publ, Madrid, Spain
Agencia Salut Publ Catalunya ASPCAT, Ctr Estudis Epidemiol ITS & Sida Catalunya CEEISCA, Barcelona, Spain
Majó, X:
Agencia Salut Publ Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Casabona, J:
Inst Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Invest Biomed Red Epidemiol & Salud Publ, Madrid, Spain
Agencia Salut Publ Catalunya ASPCAT, Ctr Estudis Epidemiol ITS & Sida Catalunya CEEISCA, Barcelona, Spain
Prat, JGI:
Drassanes Vall dHebron Ctr Int Hlth & Infect Dis, Community & Publ Hlth Team ESPIC, Barcelona, Spain
:
Univ Autonoma Barcelona UAB, Genet & Microbiol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Germans Trias & Pujol Res Inst & Hosp IGTP, Lab Clin Metropolitana Nord LCMN, Microbiol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Inst Salud Carlos III, Consorcio Invest Biomed Red Epidemiol & Salud Publ, Madrid, Spain
Green Submitted, hybrid
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