title: High hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam and associated risk factors: 2010 Vietnam Integrated Behavioural and Biologic Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an increasing health issue among key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). We sought to assess the burden of and risk factors for HCV among MSM in Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed behavioural and demographic data and stored specimens from MSM surveyed in four provinces through Vietnam's 2009-2010 Integrated Biologic and Behavioural Survey, which used probability-based, respondent-driven sampling. Commercial hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV/antibody (HCV Ag/Ab) testing were performed on archived sera with follow-up PCR for HCV RNA and genotype determination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 1588 MSM surveyed, the median (range) frequency, by province, of HCV Ag/Ab detection was 28.4% (13.7%-38.8%); 84.5% (83.1%-100%) among HIV-infected and 21.9% (8.9%-28.2%) among HIV-uninfected. HCV prevalence was higher in northern Hanoi and Hai Phong provinces than in southern Ho Chi Minh City and Chan Tho provinces. Among a convenience sample of 67 HCV Ag/Ab+ MSM, 67.2% were HCV RNA+; of 41 genotyped, 73.2% were genotype 1. HBsAg prevalence varied from 8.5% to 27.4%. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, being HIV-infected (adjusted OR (aOR) 19.0; 7.0-51.9), ever having used injected drugs (aOR 4.4; 1.6-12.4) and age >25 years were significant risk factors for testing HCV Ag/Ab+.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV infection in Vietnam appears to be high among MSM, particularly among HIV-infected MSM, with a north-south gradient. Given overlapping risk behaviours and associations between HCV and HIV, integrating HIV and HCV programme services to prevent both HIV and HCV transmission among MSM is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanoi, Vietnam.|Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nadol
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mixson-Hayden
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Tran Hong
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tram
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Guo-Liang
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaldor
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Tuan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nguyen
keywords: GAY MEN; HEPATITIS C; HIV