title: Hepatitis B infection and vaccination coverage in men who have sex with men consulting a Danish venereal disease clinic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vaccination guidelines from the Danish Health and Medicines Authority recommend vaccination of all men who have sex with men (MSM) against hepatitis B virus (HBV). The only existing data on HBV infection in Danish MSM stem from 1984: 58% of MSM attending venereal clinics in Copenhagen had a prior and 4% had a chronic HBV infection. The aim of this study was to provide up-to-date data on the prevalence of HBV infection and vaccination coverage among Danish MSM.
  
  
  METHODS
  At the venereal clinic at Aarhus University Hospital, 1525 consecutive patients received a questionnaire covering risk group and vaccination status; moreover, HBV serology was performed. Prevalence proportions of serological signs of vaccination, infection, etc. were stratified according to self-reported risk group and vaccination status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 141 patients were MSM. Among these, 14% (CI = 9-21%) were vaccinated, 7% (CI = 3-13%) had a prior infection and 1.4% (CI = 0.2-5%) were HBsAg positive. In patients recalling three doses of vaccination, 18% (CI = 11-26%) were anti-HBs negative and 0.8% (CI = 0.02-5%) were HBsAg positive. Similar data for other risk groups and the total clientele are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents the first Scandinavian data on the prevalence of HBV infection and vaccination among MSM since the introduction of the vaccine. Danish health authorities should evaluate whether a carrier frequency of 1.4% and a vaccination coverage of 14% in MSM is acceptable or warrants intensified focus on vaccination. Prospective vaccination campaigns should consider prevaccination testing, since 18% of patients recalling three doses of vaccination were anti-HBs negative.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark.
authors.forename: Ulla Schierup
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Anne Birgitte
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Halkier-Sørensen
authors.forename: Carsten Schade
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erikstrup
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C064658:RAG-1 protein
keywords: Hepatitis B; homosexuals; immunization; prevalence; risk