title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis C and correlates of seropositivity among men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vancouver, Canada, and associations of risk behaviours with HCV serostatus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the ManCount Study, a cross-sectional survey of MSM selected through a venue-based, time-location sampling method. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression modelling were used to determine correlates of HCV seropositivity. Bivariate analyses of participants who reported no history of injection drug use (IDU) were used to explore sexual behaviours associated with HCV seropositivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HCV seroprevalence was 4.9% (56/1132). Among HCV-seropositive participants who responded to the question, 22.4% (11/49) were unaware of their HCV-seropositive status, 84.9% (45/53) reported a history of IDU and 60.7% (34/56) were HIV positive by dried blood spot. Multivariate modelling found previous IDU (adjusted OR (AOR): 26.30, 95% CI 11.15 to 62.03), receiving goods, drugs or money for sex (AOR 4.98, 95% CI 2.43 to 10.20) and current smoking (AOR 3.46, 95% CI 1.47 to 8.16) were associated with HCV seropositivity. Among MSM who reported no history of IDU, HCV seropositivity was associated with bleeding after receptive anal sex (p=0.001) and a previous diagnosis of gonorrhoea (p=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV seroprevalence among a sample of MSM is higher than the general population and associated with a history of IDU. Among those who did not report IDU, we found evidence that suggests sexual exposure could be the route of transmission.
authors: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Wong
authors: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Moore
authors: School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Kanters
authors: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Buxton
authors: Health Initiative for Men, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Wayne
authors: W
authors: Robert
authors: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Reka
authors: R
authors: Gustafson
authors: BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Hogg
authors: Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Susanna
authors: S
authors: Ogunnaike-Cooke
authors: Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Wong
authors: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology
keywords: GAY MEN; HEPATITIS C; SURVEILLANCE