Community-Based Screening for HIV and Viral Hepatitis Using Dried Blood Spots in a Migrant Population in Spain: The...

Migrant populations face a disproportionate risk of undiagnosed HIV and viral hepatitis, posing a major challenge to elimination goals. The HEPINMIGRA study evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of an integrated community-based screening program for migrants in Alicante, Spain. Between March 2024 and February 2025, nine outreach campaigns were conducted in community settings with the support of intercultural mediators. Screening was performed using finger-prick dried blood spots. Among 535 attendees, 529 migrants were screened (acceptance rate 98.9%). Participants had a median age of 39 years, 56.1% were male, and 77.9% were of African origin. Seroprevalence was 1.1% for HIV (95% CI: 0.4-2.3%), 0.6% for HCV (95% CI: 0.1-1.6%), and 4.5% for HBsAg (95% CI: 2.9-6.6%). Although most individuals with positive results were successfully contacted and linked to care, treatment initiation rates were low. Community-based DBS screening was highly feasible and effective for case detection, but major gaps were identified in linkage to care and treatment initiation.