Risk behaviour, anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis B core prevalence in clinic and non-clinic samples of gay men in England, 1991-1992.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the sexual risk behaviour of and HIV and hepatitis B antibody prevalence in gay men in England.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Gay men recruited from community settings (bars, clubs, gay organizations) and genito-urinary clinics in London, Manchester, the Midlands and Bristol; men who participated in an earlier study.


METHODS
Interview including demographic information, sexual behaviour, partner type and health service use. Subjects donated saliva, which was screened for antibodies to HIV-1 by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (GACELISA) and to hepatitis B core (HBc) antigen by IgG antibody capture radioimmunoassay (GACRIA).


RESULTS
Ninety-four out of 580 (16.2%) men were HIV-antibody-positive; 6.2% of men aged < or = 25 years were positive versus 19.5% of men aged > or = 26 years. HIV-antibody prevalence was highest in London (21.1%), and twice that previously reported outside London (10.5%). Ninety-four out of 568 (16.5%) men were HBc-antibody-positive; 6.9% of men aged < or = 25 years were positive versus 19.7% of men aged > or = 26 years. Anti-HBc prevalence was highest in London (19.8 versus 12.7% outside London). Manual workers were more likely to be anti-HBc-positive, as were men who reported recent high-risk intercourse. Sexually transmitted diseases associated with frequent partner change (gonorrhoea, non-specific urethritis) were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The HIV epidemic in gay men in England continues, particularly outside London, where prevalence was double that of previous studies. We found relatively high rates of infection in young men whose main sexual experience has been in a time of unprecedented awareness of AIDS. Our data on hepatitis B suggests that further pro-active immunization programmes are urgently required. These findings add to concerns about provision of interventions targeting gay men.
Hart
G J
GJ
Academic Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine, University College London Medical School, Middlesex Hospital, UK.
Dawson
J
J
Fitzpatrick
R M
RM
Boulton
M
M
McLean
J
J
Brookes
M
M
Parry
J V
JV
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides