Association of hepatitis B virus infection with other sexually transmitted infections in homosexual men. Omega Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among men who have sex with men.


METHODS
At the baseline visit of an HIV study among men who have sex with men, we asked about HBV vaccination status and tested for HBV markers.


RESULTS
Of 625 subjects, 48% had received at least 1 dose of HBV vaccine. Of 328 unvaccinated men, 41% had 1 or more HBV markers. HBV prevalence increased markedly with age and was associated with many sexual and drug-related behaviors. In a multivariate model, 7 variables were independently associated with HBV infection: ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6, 54); injection drug use (OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 1.2, 26); gonorrhea or chlamydia (OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.9, 8.9); sexual partner with HIV/AIDS (OR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.8, 7.1); 50 or more casual partners (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.6, 7.1); received money for sex (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.2, 7.8); and 20 or more regular partners (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1, 6.1).


CONCLUSIONS
In Montreal, men who have sex with men are at risk for HBV infection, but a substantial proportion remain unvaccinated; new strategies are required to improve coverage. Men who have sex with men and who have a sexually transmitted infection, especially a genito-ulcerative infection, appear to be at particularly high risk for HBV infection.
Remis
R S
RS
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. rs.remis@utoronto.ca
Dufour
A
A
Alary
M
M
Vincelette
J
J
Otis
J
J
Mâsse
B
B
Turmel
B
B
LeClerc
R
R
Parent
R
R
Lavoie
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003151:Community Health Centers; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines