Hepatitis C Virus Awareness among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southwest Switzerland
BACKGROUND:
In
Switzerland, the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-positive
men who have sex with men (MSM) rose 18-fold between 1998 and 2011. We aimed to
evaluate transmission risk factors, awareness, and seroprevalence of HCV among
MSM in southwest Switzerland.
METHODS:
From 1st
June 2011 to 31st August 2012, trained health care professionals invited
individuals attending (1) MSM screening clinics and (2) indoor and outdoor
meeting areas to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Consenting participants
were rapid tested for HCV (OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test).
RESULTS:
Of 918
MSM approached, 654 agreed to participate, most of whom (536, 82%) were
enrolled via MSM screening clinics. Of 654 participants, 21 (3.2%) disclosed
being HIV positive; 140 (21%) had unknown HIV status. In the preceding 12
months, 357 (55%) of 654 participants reported unprotected anal intercourse
(UAI) and 321 (49%) of 654 participants reported UAI with partners of
different/unknown HIV status. Not HIV serosorting was reported more frequently
among HIV-positive individuals (76%, P < 0.001). Three hundred two participants
(46%) were aware of HCV, awareness being higher among clinic than meeting area
participants (49% vs. 33%, P = 0.04). One individual (of 654; 0.2%), with a
negative HIV test result 18 months previously was newly diagnosed as being HCV
positive on rapid testing.
CONCLUSIONS:
In
this sample of predominantly HIV-negative MSM, half the participants were aware
of HCV and HCV seroprevalence was low. However, high rates of UAI and of UAI
without HIV serosorting were reported. Given the increasing incidence of HCV
among HIV-positive men, we propose that HCV counseling should be offered to MSM
regardless of HIV status, with testing offered to those at high risk.
- 1From the *Infectious Diseases Service and †Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; and ‡HIV Unit, Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
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