Hepatitis B Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: 2023 Sexual Behavior Survey

Objectives – To study, among men who have sex with men (MSM), the use of screening and vaccination for hepatitis B virus (HBV), the positivity rate of the most recent test, and to describe the associated factors.Methods – Data from the “Enquête rapport au sexe” (Eras), a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey conducted in 2023 among MSM, were analyzed. The vaccination rate is defined as the number of MSM reporting that they were vaccinated (≥1 dose) divided by the total number of respondents.Results – Among the 19,295 MSM—cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary—aged 18 or older, residing throughout France, and reporting at least one male sexual partner in the past 12 months, 53% reported having been tested for HBV during this period, of whom 1% had a positive result on their most recent test. In multivariate analysis, the factors most strongly associated with testing were knowing one’s HIV status, regular follow-up with a doctor who addresses sexual health, being under 45 years of age, recent risky sexual practices, and HBV vaccination.The HBV vaccination rate was 68% among all MSM, and less than 80% among those targeted by vaccination recommendations, the target set by the national sexual health strategy for 2030, with the exception of MSM on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (89%). In multivariate analysis, only sociodemographic variables—including age ≥25 years—and use of healthcare services, particularly sexual health care, were associated with higher HBV vaccination rates.Conclusion – These results show that HBV vaccination coverage is insufficient, particularly among MSM targeted by vaccination recommendations. To achieve the 2030 elimination goal, better coordination between screening and vaccination, and prevention services better tailored to the specific needs of this population, remain necessary.

Author(s): Brouard Cécile, Maguet Charlotte, Ndeikoundam Ndeindo, Velter Annie

Publishing year: 2026

Pages: 423-435

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2026, n° 19-20, p. 423-435

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