High level of hepatitis B infection and ongoing risk among Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men, San Francisco, 2000-2001.
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.
Choi
Kyung-Hee
KH
University of California San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA. khchoi@psg.ucsf.edu
McFarland
Willi
W
Neilands
Torsten B
TB
Nguyen
Sean
S
Secura
Gina
G
Behel
Stephanie
S
Mackellar
Duncan
D
Valleroy
Linda
L
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