After the success obtained with the pilot screening study of COVID 19 and Hepatitis C at the opening of the leisure parties in Sitges last May 2021, where 217 hepatitis C tests were carried out in saliva in just 6 hours, the initiative will continue, now focusing on the vulnerable population for this disease, specifically the group of Men who have sex with men (MSM), at the most representative Sitges festivals of this group.
To this end, we will collaborate with the Sitges City Council Health Department, the Catalonia Public Health Agency, the Hepatology Service of the Valle de Hebrón University Hospital and the departments of Digestive and Internal Medicine of the Hospital Sant Camils. We also have funding through the scholarship offered by Gilead Sciences, and sponsored by the Spanish Society for the Study of the Liver (AEEH).
The objective of the study is to identify vulnerable populations for hepatitis C. We will carry out voluntary screening of adults, who participate in the main leisure parties in Sitges throughout this year 2022: Bear Sitges Weekend (April 29 to May 1); Sitges Gay Pride (June 8 to 12); International Bears Sitges Week (September 2 to 11). The expectation is to perform the hepatitis C test on 1,800 volunteers.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has indicated as one of its objectives the elimination of hepatitis C by the year 2030. This will require multidisciplinary action and the identification of hepatitis C in populations more prevalent.
It is well known that MSM constitute a risk group with a prevalence 4-5 times higher than the general population. Specifically, in this group a prevalence of infection by the hepatitis C virus has been described that varies between 2.9% and 13% (4%).
Rapid saliva tests determine in just 20 minutes if you have been in contact with the virus, that is, the presence of antibodies against the virus. A positive result does not always indicate that you have active disease. In up to 25-35% of cases, individuals have spontaneously eliminated the virus and only have antibodies against the hepatitis C virus.
We invite all those who attend the Sitges parties to participate in the study. The first phase will take place on April 30, 2022.
The screening points are:
- Tent located on Balmins beach, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tent located on the seafront of Sitges, in front of Carrer 1º de Mayo, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Colors Sitges Link Headquarters, C/Joan Tarrida, 1. 1r 2ª. Hours from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Colors Sitges Link association offers the possibility of carrying out the hepatitis C and HIV tests at its headquarters, every Wednesday and Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., prior to requesting an appointment prior to mobile/whastapps +34 649 01 20 44 or vih@colorssitgeslink.org
