In Brief Objectives: This study examined serologic markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and immunity among young Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men (API MSM) in San Francisco. Methods: Participants were 496 API MSM, aged 18 to 29 years, recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey using a random, venue-based, time-space sampling method. Results: Of 489 subjects tested, 28.0% had evidence of past HBV infection, including 8.2% who were chronically infected; 24.9% were immune as a result of vaccination; and 47.0% were susceptible to infection. Self-reported vaccination history was low overall and discrepant with serologic findings. Conclusions: HBV infection persists as a significant health problem among API MSM as a result of childhood infection, low vaccination coverage in Asia and the United States, and continuing adult exposure through male–male sex. Although challenging, vigorous efforts are needed to increase vaccination coverage among adult API MSM. A study of young Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men and frequent gay-identified venues in San Francisco, California, found that 28% of participants had evidence of past hepatitis B virus infection, including 8.2% who were chronically infected.
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Choi et al. (2004) studied this question.