Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis A among Montreal street youth.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies among Montreal street youth.


METHODS
Anti-HAV antibody testing was performed on blood samples from a hepatitis B and C study conducted among street youth in 1995-96.


RESULTS
Among the 427 youth aged 14 to 25 years, prevalence of HAV antibodies was 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9%-7.2%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that birth in a country with a high anti-HAV prevalence (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 200.7; 95% CI: 38.1-1058.4), having had sexual partner(s) with history of unspecified hepatitis (AOR: 13.8; 95% CI: 4.2-45.2), and insertive anal penetration (AOR: 5.1; 95% CI: 1.6-16.7) were independently associated with infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the relatively low HAV prevalence, the high prevalence of risk factors for infection, and the substantial hepatitis B and C prevalence, vaccination against hepatitis A is now actively promoted among Montreal street youth.
Roy
Elise
E
Montreal Regional Public Health Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC. eroy@santepub-mtl.qc.ca
Haley
Nancy
N
Leclerc
Pascale
P
Cédras
Lyne
L
Bédard
Lucie
L
Allard
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies