Hepatitis knowledge low among MSM

Many men who have sex with men (MSM) in Flanders, Belgium, appear not to understand enough about hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) to protect themselves against disease, according to a presentation at the 2022 European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (poster P0013).

“Nowadays, there is effective vaccination and suppressive therapy for HBV, and we also have access to tolerable, direct-acting antivirals to cure HCV infection,” said Marie Coessens, MD, an assistant in Laboratory Medicine at KU Leuven and a PhD student at the University of Antwerp, in Belgium.

However, the disease burden of both HBV and HCV is still significant, and Dr. Coessens noted that epidemiological data are needed to guide screening strategies.

Knowledge of HBV and HCV transmission, disease process, vaccination and treatment is poor, she said.

To gain a sense of existing awareness of HBV and HCV, an online survey was conducted, as was a face-to-face questionnaire used at Belgian and Antwerp Pride gatherings. As part of SENSOA, the Flemish Expertise Center for Sexual Health, MSM were voluntarily tested at 14 gay bars, parties and saunas from 2018 to 2020. HCV test results collected in 2019 by EXAEQUO, the Walloon Sexual Health Organization, were also analyzed.

A total of 300 MSM completed the survey, 7.7% of whom were HIV-positive, and the majority of whom had achieved levels of higher education.

Overall knowledge of HBV and HCV infections was poor. Knowledge of transmission routes was particularly low, making it, Dr. Coessens said, a target for preventive measures.

A positive association was established between knowledge of HBV infection and the degree of education of those surveyed. For HCV infection, there was a similar trend toward significance.

“Therefore, awareness campaigns should also target MSM with low educational levels,” she said.

In addition, a positive association was established between the knowledge of HCV and number of sexual partners within the last six months, and the number of risky sexual practices.

“It is encouraging that the MSM at the highest risk are best informed,” Dr. Coessens said.

However, while additional educational efforts are clearly needed to target knowledge gaps, the investigators noted that overall rates of HCV and HIV among the surveyed population of MSM were remarkably low. As such, due to the high workload required and low case finding, they concluded that an on-site screening approach for HCV and HBV cannot be recommended.

By Ethan Covey