title: High level of hepatitis B infection and ongoing risk among Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men, San Francisco, 2000-2001.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined serologic markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and immunity among young Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men (API MSM) in San Francisco.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 496 API MSM, aged 18 to 29 years, recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey using a random, venue-based, time-space sampling method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 489 subjects tested, 28.0% had evidence of past HBV infection, including 8.2% who were chronically infected; 24.9% were immune as a result of vaccination; and 47.0% were susceptible to infection. Self-reported vaccination history was low overall and discrepant with serologic findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBV infection persists as a significant health problem among API MSM as a result of childhood infection, low vaccination coverage in Asia and the United States, and continuing adult exposure through male-male sex. Although challenging, vigorous efforts are needed to increase vaccination coverage among adult API MSM.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA. khchoi@psg.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Kyung-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Willi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.forename: Torsten B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Neilands
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Secura
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Behel
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mackellar
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valleroy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires