Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis A among Montreal street youth.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies among Montreal street youth.

METHOD:

Anti-HAV antibody testing was performed on blood samples from a hepatitis B and C study conducted among street youth in 1995-96.

RESULTS:

Among the 427 youth aged 14 to 25 years, prevalence of HAV antibodies was 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9%-7.2%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that birth in a country with a high anti-HAV prevalence (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 200.7; 95% CI: 38.1-1058.4), having had sexual partner(s) with history of unspecified hepatitis (AOR: 13.8; 95% CI: 4.2-45.2), and insertive anal penetration (AOR: 5.1; 95% CI: 1.6-16.7) were independently associated with infection.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the relatively low HAV prevalence, the high prevalence of risk factors for infection, and the substantial hepatitis B and C prevalence, vaccination against hepatitis A is now actively promoted among Montreal street youth.

• Authors: Elise Roy, Nancy Haley, Pascale Leclerc, Lyne Cédras, Lucie Bédard, Robert Allard
• Journal: Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique (Can J Public Health) 2002 Jan-Feb Vol. 93 Issue 1 Pg. 52-3 ISSN: 0008-4263 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 11925701 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis Antibodies

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Female
• Hepatitis A (diagnosis, epidemiology, transmission)
• Hepatitis Antibodies (blood)
• Homeless Youth (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Male
• Quebec (epidemiology)
• Risk Factors
• Seroepidemiologic Studies
• Sexual Behavior
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Urban Population