BackgroundIn recent decades the epidemic of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections has extended deep into Brazil, including small towns and rural areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C viruses (HCV), and to evaluate immunization coverage against hepatitis B in a group of rural workers in Brazil.MethodsIn 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 937 manual sugarcane cutters of the Midwest and Northeast Regions of Brazil. All individuals were interviewed and screened for HIV, syphilis, HBV and HCV. Correlating factors with lifetime HBV infection were investigated using logistic regression. Positive Predictive Values, Negative Predictive Values, sensitivity and specificity were also calculated relative to vaccination against Hepatitis B, comparing anti-HBs titers to vaccination reports.ResultsMost reported previous hospitalization (55%), occupational injuries (54%), sharing of personal items (45.8%), alcohol consumption (77.2%), multiple sexual partners in previous 12 months (39.8%), and no condom use during sexual intercourse in last 12 months (46.5%). Only 0.2% reported using injection drugs. Anti-HIV-1 was detected in three individuals (0.3%). Serological markers of lifetime syphilis (treponemal test) were detected in 2.5% (95% CI: 1.6–3.6) of participants, and active syphilis (treponemal test and VDRL) present in 1.2%. No samples were positive for anti-HCV. The prevalence of lifetime HBV infection (current or past infection) was 15.9%, and 0.7% (95% CI 0.4 to 1.5) were HBsAg-positive. Previous hospitalization (OR 1.53, CI 1.05–2.24, p < 0.01) and multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months (OR 1.80, CI 1.25–2.60, p < 0.01) were predictors for lifetime HBV infection. Although 46.7% (95% CI 43.4–49.9) of individuals reported having been vaccinated against hepatitis B, only 20.6% (95% CI 18.1–23.3) showed serological evidence of previous hepatitis B vaccination (positive for anti-HBs alone).ConclusionsThe high prevalence of syphilis and HBV compared to the general population and the high frequency of risk behaviors show the potential for sexual and parenteral dissemination of these agents in this rural population. In addition, the low frequency of hepatitis B vaccinated individuals suggests a need for improved vaccination services.

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.

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.

Introdução: A migração é inerente à humanidade e, independentemente dos motivos de deslocamento, várias barreiras são enfrentadas pela população imigrante estrangeira e refugiada. A violação de direitos humanos, aqui representada pelos abusos sexuais, vêm aumento nesse grupo emergente e, consequentemente, o risco de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência do relato de violência sexual entre imigrantes e refugiados de Goiás e seus fatores associados. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado de julho de 2019 a janeiro de 2020. Participaram 312 imigrantes e refugiados da região do Centro Goiano, Goiás. Foram incluídos indivíduos que relataram já ter iniciado atividade sexual. Todos foram entrevistados a partir de perguntas sobre dados sociodemográficos, imigração e comportamentos sexuais. A relação entre as variáveis preditoras e o relato de violência sexual foi analisada por meio da regressão logística. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Universidade Federal de Goiás. Resultados: Participaram 312 indivíduos, sendo 56,4% homens e 43,6% mulheres. A maioria possuía idade entre 30 e 49 anos (51,3%), união estável (53,9%) e escolaridade de 6 a 12 anos (44,1%). Em relação às características de migração, 67,9% eram provenientes do Haiti (67,9%), enquanto 36,3% da Venezuela (26,3%); 23,4% viviam na condição de refugiados e 55,4% estavam no Brasil havia menos de um ano. A prevalência do relato de relação sexual forçada foi de 9,3%. As variáveis ser mulher (odds ratio=3,1, intervalo de confiança 95% 1,3–7,5) e ter feito sexo com parceria sabidamente portadora de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (odds ratio=7,6, intervalo de confiança 95% 1,6–36) foram associados significativamente à violência sexual. Conclusão: Os dados afirmam uma condição presente de vulnerabilidade entre os imigrantes e refugiados investigados. É importante destacar o processo de feminização da imigração estrangeira e a necessidade de ações de educação em saúde visando ao empoderamento da mulher e à prevenção da saúde sexual.

Objetivo: Compreender a percepção acerca da vulnerabilidade às IST/HIV/AIDS entre as adolescentes residentes em assentamento urbano de uma capital do Brasil Central. Material e Método: Estudo descritivo e exploratório, com abordagem qualitativo, realizado em assentamento da periferia de uma capital do Brasil Central. De um total de 407 adolescentes da única instituição do assentamento, 107 foram considerados para o estúdio, 20 deles assistiram à consulta hebiátrica até atingir a saturação dos dados, a amostra nal foi constituída por 16 adolescentes. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise de conteúdo foi utilizada para tratar os dados, sob a ótima da Teoria das Representações Sociais. Resultados: Emergiram