Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and factors associated with infection among adolescent men who have sex with men and transgender women in Salvador, Brazil

Abstract

Background Brazil was strongly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on sexual and gender minorities’ youth remains unknown. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors among adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM) and transgender women (ATGW) participants of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis cohort study (PrEP1519). Methods This is a cross-sectional design conducted between June and October 2020 in Salvador, Brazil. Serum samples were collected from AMSM and ATGW aged 16-21 years between June-October 2020. IgG and IgM anti-SARS-CoV-2 were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and data were collected through a socio-behavioral questionnaire. Results Among the 137 participants, the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM was 20.4%; 16.8% of the participants were positive for IgG, and 11.7% for IgM. In the multivariable analysis, the seroprevalence was two times higher among those who never wore masks (OR= 2.22; 95% CI: 1.08-4.57) and among those who believed that they could be easily cured of the disease (OR= 2.05; 95% CI: 1.05-4.01). Conclusions The high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among gender and sexual minority youth seems to be informed by behaviors and attitudes that contrast with public health measures and the potential severity of the disease when vaccination was still not available.

Important steps for PrEP uptake among adolescent men who have sex with men and transgender women in Brazil

“…There is a need to reach and inform a large number of adolescents from the key population about HIV prevention. Twenty percent of adolescent MSM and TGW reached out by the demand creation strategies of PrEP1519 did reach the PrEP clinics [45,52]. Online interventions can be more cost-effective and easily scaled up to increase service coverage.…”

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with hepatitis B and C: a pre-vaccination study

“…2 , 3 Despite the high number of cases, Brazil has one of the lowest rates of diagnosis when compared to other countries. 4 …”

“…When compared to studies evaluating populations with other co-infections, similar values were observed in the literature when compared to our work. A Brazilian study 8 detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 in 20.4 % among people living with HIV with no information on the prevalence of hepatitis among these individuals. This high prevalence may reveal that this population is exposed to SARS-CoV-2 even during a period of social isolation.…”

Expansion of testing, isolation, quarantine, e-health and telemonitoring strategies in socioeconomically vulnerable neighbourhoods at primary healthcare in the fight against COVID-19 in Brazil: a study protocol of a multisite testing intervention using a mixed method approach

“…Low-income countries’ investments in public health are often insufficient in these settings,7 leading to increase in the number of under-reported cases 8 9. For example, the prevalence of anti-S IgG antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 in an extremely socioeconomic vulnerable population in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador before vaccine implementation was higher than previous estimates for these cities, indicating the significant burden of COVID-19 in these communities 10 11. The unavailability of diagnostic tools is aggravated by the arrival of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, also contributing to under-reporting of cases 8 9…”