Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis A among male homosexuals

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1983 Dec 10;287(6407):1743-5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.287.6407.1743.

Abstract

In a study of 689 male homosexuals 290 (42%) were found to have antibodies to hepatitis A virus. The 399 men who did not have antibodies were followed up for up to 690 days, and 35 cases of hepatitis A were detected. The attack rate at the end of the study was 14%. The incidence climbed steadily, indicating that the cases of hepatitis A did not occur in clusters. Statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus was significantly correlated with the duration of homosexual activity (p less than 0.006), and this was independent of age. The incidence of hepatitis A was found to be correlated with the number of different sexual partners in the preceding six months. It is concluded that hepatitis A is a sexually transmitted disease among homosexual men in countries with a low rate of exposure to hepatitis A during childhood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis A / immunology
  • Hepatitis A / transmission
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Jaundice / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Risk
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral