High hepatitis B exposure and HIV prevalence but no evidence of HDV among Haitian migrants in Chile: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Haitian migration to Chile has increased in recent years, raising public health concerns regarding viral hepatitis and HIV. Haitian migrants exhibit a distinct epidemiological profile compared to the native population, particularly for hepatitis B.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 856 Haitian-born adults residing in urban Chile from January 2018 to January 2025. Data were collected via structured interviews, physical examinations, and serological testing for HBsAg, total anti-HBc (including anti-HBc IgM), anti-HAV, anti-HEV, anti-HCV, anti-HDV, and HIV antibodies.

FINDINGS: The mean age was 34 ± 9 years, with 56.6 % females. HBsAg positivity was 3.1 %, and anti-HBc positivity reached 34.3 %, while anti-HBc IgM was detected in 0.24 % of participants. HDV was not found in any of the anti-HBc positive samples. HAV seroprevalence was nearly universal (96.7 %), anti-HEV antibodies were present in 9.34 %, HCV prevalence was 0.36 %, and HIV-1 was identified in 1.71 %.

INTERPRETATION: Haitian migrants in Chile carry a significantly higher burden of HBV exposure and HIV infection than native Chileans, emphasizing the need for targeted screening, vaccination, and culturally sensitive public health interventions.