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) vaccination status among HIV-uninfected men who have affective and sexual relations with men (MASM) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Methods: The Omega Cohort is a study of the incidence and psychosocial determinants of HIV infection among MASM in Montreal. Participants complete a questionnaire and are HIV-tested every 6 months. At baseline, we also performed testing for HBV markers and collected data on HBV vaccination history. Results: Forty-six percent of 653 participants had received at least one dose of HBV vaccination, whereas 28% were completely vaccinated. Lack of vaccination was associated with injection drug use, having greater than or equal to 20 regular lifetime partners, livingoutside Montreal, not having sex in bathhouses, and not having consulted a physician aware of the participant's sexual orientation. Among vaccinated MASM, incomplete vaccination was associated with having <20 lifetime casual partners, trading sex for drugs, having given goods for sex, having had unprotected anal sex with regular partners, and having no history of a previous sexually transmitted disease. Conclusion: A significant proportion of Montreal's MASM, some of whom are at risk of contracting HBV through sexual and parenteral transmission, have not been vaccinated for HBV. Men who have affective and sexual relations with men should be educated about the risk of HBV transmission and the seriousness of the disease.