The Prevalence of Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in transgender and LGBT people and determine their pooled estimates worldwide.Methods: Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane, PsycInfo) were searched from April 2000 to July 2021. The pooled, subgroup, and cumulative analyses were executed using the random-effects model in Stata 16. Results: Ten studies, including eight studies on Four transgender people and two studies on 2150 LGBTs, were included. The pooled prevalence of HCV and HBV in all transgender populations globally were 9% (95%CI: 3- 15%) and 11% (95%CI: 2- 20%), respectively. The corresponding prevalence in male-to-female transgender people were estimated as 5% (95%CI: 1- 9%) and 6% (95%CI: 3- 10%), respectively. These estimates in American transgenders were 10% (95%CI: 5- 25%) and 16% (95%CI: 8- 23%), respectively. Conclusion: This study was identified the overall prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in transgender people, which were higher than those in the general population. Thus, this group of sexual minorities was at higher risk for HBV and HCV infections, and it was necessary to develop, design, and implement a protocol for providing services related to HBV and HCV infections, such as a hepatitis B vaccination program and treatment of hepatitis C along with screening and designing appropriate interventions in transgender people.