8th Annual Retrovirus Conference
Late Breakers
Chicago, Feb 4-8 2001

 

Risky Sex Practices That May Increase Risk for Getting HCV Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

Craib and colleagues reported a follow-up to their poster at last year's Retrovirus Conference, on evidence supporting sexual transmission & modes of transmission among men who have sex with men. This study aimed to determine HCV prevalence & identify risk factors for HCV in a group of sexually active MSM in Bristish Vancouver, Canada. Stored blood samples (obtained during '82-'98) from 662 individuals were tested for HCV antibody and demographics, sexual practices, substance abuse, etc were obtained by self-administered questionnaires completed during '82-'98. Case-control comparisons were made and multivariate regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for being HCV+.

5.9% (39/662) were HCV+. HCV positivity was significantly higher among HIV+ men than HIV- men (8.8% 31/352 vs 2.6% 8/310).

HCV+ men were more likely to:

19 (49%) of the 39 HCV+ individuals reported never using IV drugs. In comparing these 19 individuals with the 589 HCV- non-IV drug users, oral-anal contact (95% vs 72%, p=0.029) and insertive fisting (51% vs 26%, p=0.012) were significant risk factors for being HCV+.

Multivariate analysis showed IVDU (P<0.001), HIV positivity (p=0.042), and number of male sex partners in the previous years to be independent risk factors for being HCV+, and these were statistically significantly.

Craib concluded IVDU was not surprisingly a significant risk factor for HCV infection. But, 49% of the HCV+ men did not report using IV drugs and among them specific sex practices (that might facilitate blood exchange) were identified as risk factors for getting HCV.

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