Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis A among Montreal street youth

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.