Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among men having sexual relations with men in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Objective: To determine factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) vac cination status among HIV-uninfected men who have affective and sexual rela tions with men (MASM) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Methods: The Omega Cohort is a study of the incidence and psychosocial dete rminants of HIV infection among MASM in Montreal. Participants complete a q uestionnaire and are HIV-tested every 6 months. At baseline, we also perfor med testing for HBV markers and collected data on HBV vaccination history. Results: Forty-six percent of 653 participants had received at least one do se of HBV vaccination, whereas 28% were completely vaccinated. Lack of vacc ination was associated with injection drug use, having greater than or equa l to 20 regular lifetime partners, livingoutside Montreal, not having sex i n bathhouses, and not having consulted a physician aware of the participant 's sexual orientation. Among vaccinated MASM, incomplete vaccination was as sociated with having <20 lifetime casual partners, trading sex for drugs, h aving given goods for sex, having had unprotected anal sex with regular par tners, and having no history of a previous sexually transmitted disease. Conclusion: A significant proportion of Montreal's MASM, some of whom are a t risk of contracting HBV through sexual and parenteral transmission, have not been vaccinated for HBV. Men who have affective and sexual relations wi th men should be educated about the risk of HBV transmission and the seriou sness of the disease.