Getting knowledge to provide care: prevalence and factors associated with Sexually Transmitted Infections in immigrants from Goiás.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in immigrants and refugees living in the metropolitan region of Goiânia, Goiás. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study. Data collection was carried out from July 2019 to January 2020 and 308 immigrants and refugees were included in the sample. All were underwent face-to-face interviews and were tested for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B, using rapid tests. RESULTS: The general prevalence for any of the STIs investigated was 8.8% (95%CI 6.0% - 12.3%), being 5.8% (95%CI 3.6% - 8.9%) for Hepatitis B, 2.3% for Syphilis (95%CI 1.00% - 4.4%) and 0.7% for HIV (95%CI 0.1% - 2.1%). Multiple analysis, using logistic regression, showed that the variables male gender (OR = 2.7) and length of time living in Brazil (OR = 2.6) were significantly associated with STIs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that STIs are a health problem in immigrants/refugees, which appear to be enhanced with the length of migration in the country. Public policies that guarantee health care for this population shall be considered.

Getting knowledge to provide care: prevalence and factors associated with Sexually Transmitted Infections in immigrants from Goiás / Conocer para cuidar: prevalencia y factores asociados a las Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual en inmigrantes de Goiás / Conhecer para cuidar: prevalência e fatores associados às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis em imigrantes de Goiás

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in immigrants and refugees living in the metropolitan region of Goiânia, Goiás. Method: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study. Data collection was carried out from July 2019 to January 2020 and 308 immigrants and refugees were included in the sample. All were underwent face-to-face interviews and were tested for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B, using rapid tests. Results: The general prevalence for any of the STIs investigated was 8.8% (95%CI 6.0% - 12.3%), being 5.8% (95%CI 3.6% - 8.9%) for Hepatitis B, 2.3% for Syphilis (95%CI 1.00% - 4.4%) and 0.7% for HIV (95%CI 0.1% - 2.1%). Multiple analysis, using logistic regression, showed that the variables male gender (OR = 2.7) and length of time living in Brazil (OR = 2.6) were significantly associated with STIs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that STIs are a health problem in immigrants/refugees, which appear to be enhanced with the length of migration in the country. Public policies that guarantee health care for this population shall be considered.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual (ETS) en inmigrantes y refugiados residentes en la región metropolitana de Goiânia, Goiás. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal y analítico. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo desde julio de 2019 hasta enero de 2020 y se incluyeron en la muestra 308 inmigrantes y refugiados. Todos fueron entrevistados cara a cara y sometidos a pruebas de VIH, Sífilis y Hepatitis B, mediante pruebas rápidas.. Resultados: La prevalencia general para cualquiera de las ETS investigadas fue de 8,8% (IC95% 6,0% - 12,3%), siendo 5,8% (IC95% 3,6% - 8,9%) para Hepatitis B, 2,3% para Sífilis (IC95% 1,00% - 4,4%) y 0,7% para VIH (IC95% 0,1% - 2,1%). El análisis múltiple, mediante regresión logística, mostró que las variables género masculino (OR = 2,7) y tiempo de residencia en Brasil (OR = 2,6) se asociaron significativamente con las ETS (p < 0,05). Conclusión: Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que las ETS son un problema de salud en inmigrantes/refugiados, que parecen exacerbarse con la duración de la migración en el país. Se deben considerar políticas públicas que garanticen la atención de la salud de esta población.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (IST) em imigrantes e refugiados residentes na região metropolitana de Goiânia, Goiás. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e analítico. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de julho de 2019 a janeiro de 2020 e integraram a amostra 308 imigrantes e refugiados. Todos foram entrevistados face-a-face e testados para HIV, Sífilis e Hepatite B, por meio de testes rápidos. Resultados: A prevalência geral para alguma das IST investigadas foi de 8,8% (IC95% 6,0% - 12,3%), sendo 5,8% (IC95% 3,6% - 8,9%) para Hepatite B, 2,3% para Sífilis (IC95% 1,00% - 4,4%) e 0,7% para HIV (IC95% 0,1% - 2,1%). A análise múltipla, por regressão logística, mostrou que as variáveis sexo masculino (OR = 2,7) e tempo de moradia no Brasil (OR = 2,6) foram associadas significativamente às IST (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que as IST são um problema de saúde em imigrantes/refugiados, que parecem ser exacerbadas com o tempo de migração no país. Políticas públicas que garantam a assistência à saúde dessa população devem ser consideradas.

Hepatitis B and C in Immigrants and Refugees in Central Brazil: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Immunization.

Introduction: Eliminating hepatitis B and C in immigrant and refugee populations is a significant challenge worldwide. Given the lack of information in Brazil, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses and factors associated with hepatitis B in immigrants and refugees residing in central Brazil. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted from July 2019 to January 2020 with 365 immigrants and refugees. Hepatitis B was detected by a rapid immunochromatographic test, enzyme immunoassay, and chemiluminescence, and hepatitis C by rapid immunochromatographic test. Multiple analysis was used to assess factors associated with hepatitis B infection. Results: Of the participants, 57.8% were from Haiti and 35.6% were from Venezuela. Most had been in Brazil for less than 2 years (71.2%). The prevalence of HBV infection and exposure was 6.6% (95% CI: 4.5-9.6%) and 27.9% (95% CI: 23.6-2.8%), respectively, and 34% had isolated anti-HBs positivity. Reporting a sexually transmitted infection was statistically associated with HBV infection (OR: 7.8; 95% CI: 2.3-26.4). No participant with positive anti-HCV serology was found. Conclusions: The study showed that participants were outside the reach of prevention and control actions for hepatitis B. Therefore, public health strategies must be designed to reach, inform, and vaccinate this group.

Hepatitis A and E among immigrants and refugees in Central Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) among immigrants and refugees in Goiás, Central Brazil. METHODS: Overall, 355 individuals were interviewed, and blood samples were tested for anti-HAV and anti-HEV IgG. Anti-HEV-positive samples were similarly tested for HEV RNA. RESULTS: All participants were from Latin American countries, most of whom, young adult males. The overall anti-HAV IgG prevalence was 87.4% (95%CI: 83.5-90.4), of whom 94.9%, 75.6%, and 60% were from Haiti, Venezuela, and other Latin American countries, respectively (p < 0.001). Age above 19 years and more than 36 months residing in Brazil were associated with a higher prevalence of previous HAV and HEV infection, respectively. Of the children eligible for HAV vaccination according to the National Immunization Program, only eight (44%) had been vaccinated. The overall anti-HEV IgG prevalence was 6.5% (95%CI: 4.4-9.5). All anti-HEV IgG-positive individuals were Haitians, including a child born in Brazil. HEV RNA was detected in two of the anti-HEV IgG-positive samples. CONCLUSION: The survey detected a high prevalence of anti-HAV and anti-HEV IgG among immigrants and refugees, and active HEV infection among some Haitian participants. Prevention measures are urgently required to interrupt enteric virus transmission in this emergent and vulnerable population.

Hepatitis A and E among immigrants and refugees in Central Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) among immigrants and refugees in Goiás, Central Brazil. METHODS Overall, 355 individuals were interviewed, and blood samples were tested for anti-HAV and anti-HEV IgG. Anti-HEV-positive samples were similarly tested for HEV RNA. RESULTS All participants were from Latin American countries, most of whom, young adult males. The overall anti-HAV IgG prevalence was 87.4% (95%CI: 83.5-90.4), of whom 94.9%, 75.6%, and 60% were from Haiti, Venezuela, and other Latin American countries, respectively (p < 0.001). Age above 19 years and more than 36 months residing in Brazil were associated with a higher prevalence of previous HAV and HEV infection, respectively. Of the children eligible for HAV vaccination according to the National Immunization Program, only eight (44%) had been vaccinated. The overall anti-HEV IgG prevalence was 6.5% (95%CI: 4.4-9.5). All anti-HEV IgG-positive individuals were Haitians, including a child born in Brazil. HEV RNA was detected in two of the anti-HEV IgG-positive samples. CONCLUSION The survey detected a high prevalence of anti-HAV and anti-HEV IgG among immigrants and refugees, and active HEV infection among some Haitian participants. Prevention measures are urgently required to interrupt enteric virus transmission in this emergent and vulnerable population.