TransOdara study: the challenge of integrating methods, settings and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis A, B, and C in transgender women and travestis's networks, in 5 regions of Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study includedtransgender women and travestis in five Brazilian capitals (Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador, and São Paulo), between December/2019 and July/2021. All samples were subjected to detection of serological markers of hepatitis virus A (HAV), B (HBV), and C (HCV) infections through rapid tests and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays. Positive samples in the screening tests were submitted to detect HBV DNA and HCV-RNA by real-time PCR and genotyped by Sanger sequencing. Results: Analysis of 1,317 samples showed network prevalence rates of 69.1%, 25.1%, and 1.5% for HAV, HBV, and HCV exposure, respectively. A high susceptibility rate to HBV infection (35.7%) and low prevalence of vaccine response markers (40%) were also observed. Age greater than 26 years, self-declared black/brown skin color, having only primary education, history of incarceration, and use of a condom in the last sexual intercourse with a casual partner were associated with total anti-HAV. Exposure to HBV was associated with age greater than 26 years, self-declared black/brown, history of being a sex worker, and incarceration. Age > 37 years, history of sexual abuse, and frequent alcohol consumption were associated with hepatitis C infection. Conclusion: The highest prevalence of HAV in this population was found in the North and Northeast regions, and the prevalence found was higher than that in the general population, suggesting greater vulnerability. The prevalence of HCV infection in our study was similar to that observed in the general population.

Hepatitis A, B and C prevalence among transgender women and travestis in five Brazilian capitals between 2019-2021

Moreira,

Veras,

Amianti

et al. 2024

Prevalência das hepatites A, B e C entre mulheres trans e travestis em cinco capitais brasileiras entre 2019-2021

Moreira,

Veras,

Amianti

et al. 2024

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar as prevalências e fatores associados com as hepatites A, B e C em mulheres trans e travestis em cinco regiões do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal com mulheres trans e travestis em cinco capitais brasileiras (Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador e São Paulo), entre dezembro/2019 e julho/2021. As amostras foram submetidas à detecção de marcadores das infecções pelos vírus das hepatites A (HAV), B (HBV) e C (HCV), utilizando-se testes rápidos e quimioluminescência. Amostras positivas foram submetidas à detecção de HBV-DNA e HCV-RNA por PCR em tempo real e genotipadas por sequenciamento de Sanger. Resultados: As análises de 1.317 amostras indicaram taxas de prevalências nas mulheres trans e travestis recrutadas de 69,1%, 24,4% e 1,5% para exposição ao HAV, HBV e HCV, respectivamente. Elevada taxa de suscetibilidade ao HBV (35,7%) e baixa prevalência do marcador vacinal (40,0%) foram observadas. Mostraram-se associadas à presença de anti-HAV: idade maior que 26 anos, autodeclarar-se preta-parda, ter apenas educação básica, história de encarceramento e uso de preservativo na última relação sexual com parceiro casual. Quanto à exposição ao HBV, foi associada a idade maior que 26 anos, cor da pele preto-parda, ter sido profissional do sexo e história de encarceramento. Idade maior de 37 anos, história de abuso sexual e consumo frequente de álcool foram associadas ao HCV. Conclusão: As maiores prevalências de HAV nessa população encontram-se nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. Com relação ao HBV, a prevalência encontrada foi superior à encontrada na população geral, sugerindo maior vulnerabilidade. A prevalência do HCV foi semelhante à encontrada na população geral.

Physical examination for the detection of sexually transmitted infections among transgender women and travestis in Brazil: acceptability and associated factors

McCartney,

Carvalhal,

Moraes

et al. 2024

Objective This study aimed to determine the acceptability and factors associated with uptake of a physical examination for the detection of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by transgender women and travestis in Brazil. Methods: TransOdara was a multi-centric, cross-sectional STI prevalence study conducted among transgender women and travestis in five capital cities (Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador and São Paulo) representing all Brazilian regions, between December 2019 and July 2021. A total of 1,317 self-identified transgender women and travestis aged ≥18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and responded to a standard questionnaire. A medical consultation was offered including a physical examination and collection of samples from multiple sites to detect various STIs. Factors associated with uptake were investigated by reviewing demographic characteristics of participants who gave permission for physical examination (general, genital, and anorectal). Results: Most participants (65.4%, 95% confidence interval — 95%CI 62.7–68.0) gave permission for a general examination (including oropharyngeal), with fewer permitting genital (42.3%, 95%CI 39.6–46.0) or anorectal (42.1%, 95%CI 39.4–44.9) examinations. Overall, 34.4% (95%CI 31.8–37.0) of participants refused all examinations. Participants with STI symptoms were significantly more likely to give permission for full examination than asymptomatic participants (64.3 vs. 37.4%, adjusted odds ratio — AOR=3.6, 95%CI 2.4–5.5). Other factors significantly associated with uptake of a full examination in multivariate analysis included age (AOR=1.5 for ≥25 years), religion (AOR=1.7 for Afro-Brazilian, AOR=1.9 for other religions compared to no religion), and education (AOR=2.0 for higher-level). Conclusion: In the context of STI management, this study found limited acceptance of anogenital examinations among transgender women and travestis, with higher acceptance among those with STI symptoms.