Hepatitis B markers in men seeking human immunodeficiency virus antibody testing in Mexico City.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serologic markers in 1,377 men with high-risk sexual behavior attending a center for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) detection in Mexico City.


METHODS
The study population consisted of all men who were tested for HIV from March to September, 1992. Study participants responded to a standardized questionnaire and provided a blood sample for serology.


RESULTS
A total of 1.9% of the population were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, and there was a significant difference in HBsAg prevalence between HIV-negative (0.8%) and HIV-positive individuals (7.9%). Sexual preference was associated with HBsAg prevalence; only 0.3% of men who had female sexual partners exclusively were HBsAg carriers, compared with 4.8% of men who had male sexual partners exclusively. Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was 15.4%. However, men who reported only female partners had a 4.6% prevalence, whereas men who had only male partners had a 30.4% prevalence. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of anti-HBc prevalence with age, marital status, sexual preference, seropositivity for HIV, and antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that coinfection with HBV is common in the HIV-positive men studied. The highest prevalences of HBsAg and anti-HBc were observed among homosexual men. These results highlight the need to intensify safe-sex education campaigns and to promote hepatitis B vaccination especially among this population group.
Juárez-Figueroa
L A
LA
National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad, Morelos, México. lfigueroa@insp3.insp.mx
Uribe-Salas
F J
FJ
Conde-Glez
C J
CJ
Hernández-Avila
M
M
Hernández-Nevárez
P
P
Uribe-Zúñiga
P
P
del Río-Chiriboga
C
C
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health
D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens