Hepatitis B infection and association with other sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Peru.
To assess the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru, we evaluated the prevalence and associated risk factors for HBV serologic markers among participants of a HIV sentinel surveillance conducted in 2002-2003. The standardized prevalences for total antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were 20.2% and 2.8%, respectively. Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection had significantly higher anti-HBc (44.3% versus 19.3%) and HBsAg (9.5% versus 2.3%) prevalences than uninfected men. Increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.06), versatile sexual role (AOR = 1.59), sex in exchange for money/gifts (AOR = 1.58), syphilis (AOR = 1.74), HIV-1 infection (AOR = 1.64), and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2, AOR = 2.77) infection were independently associated with anti-HBc positivity, whereas only HIV-1 infection (AOR = 3.51) and generalized lymph node enlargement (AOR = 3.72) were associated with HBsAg positivity. Pre-existing HBV infection is very common among Peruvian MSM and was correlated with sexual risk factors. MSM in Peru constitute a target population for further HBV preventive and treatment interventions.
Lama
Javier R
JR
Asociacion Civil Impacta Salud y Educacion, Lima, Peru. jrlama@impactaperu.org
Agurto
Hellen S
HS
Guanira
Juan V
JV
Ganoza
Carmela
C
Casapia
Martin
M
Ojeda
Nora
N
Ortiz
Abner
A
Zamalloa
Victoria
V
Suarez-Ognio
Luis
L
Cabezas
Cesar
C
Sanchez
Jose L
JL
Sanchez
Jorge
J
D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010568:Peru; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D047568:Unsafe Sex