title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis A immunity in male genitourinary medicine clinic attenders: a case control study of heterosexual and homosexual men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men to determine their susceptibility to infection and provide guidance for a policy on vaccination.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study design was utilised to compare the risk factors associated with hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men attending a city centre genitourinary medicine clinic. Demographic and sexual behavioural characteristics were included in univariate and multivariate models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall seropositivity rate was 29% with no significant difference between homosexual and heterosexual men. Ethnicity and age were strongly associated with hepatitis A seropositivity in both homosexuals and heterosexuals. A history of sex in a sauna in homosexual men, and being born outside the United Kingdom for heterosexual men, was associated with hepatitis A seropositivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeted hepatitis A screening and vaccination of homosexual men attending UK genitourinary medicine clinics is not supported by the results of this study.
authors.affiliation: Whittal Street Clinic, Birmingham, UK. jonathan.ross@bscht.wmids.nhs.uk
authors.forename: J D C
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghanem
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tariq
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gilleran
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Winter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health