Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection among men who have sex with men

Key take-home messages

• HCV prevalence and incidence are low among HIV-negative men who have sex with men without a history of injection drug use and insufficient evidence exists to warrant routine screening in this population.
• Since 2000, incidence and prevalence of HCV have increased dramatically among HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
• HIV-positive men who have sex with men are more than four times more likely to acquire HCV than HIV-negative men who have sex with men.
• Factors associated with potential sexual transmission of HCV among men who have sex with men include: co-infection with HIV; unprotected anal intercourse and inconsistent condom use; use of recreational drugs; sexually transmitted infection(s); serosorting; multiple, anonymous, or casual sex partners and group sex; and sexual practices that result in bleeding or tissue damage.
• HCV reinfection rates are high among HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
• HIV-positive men who have sex with men would benefit from routine screening for HCV in and more extensive risk behaviour counselling and targeted HCV prevention services.

• Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
  • Epidemiology
• Population(s)
  • Men who have sex with men
  • General HIV+ population
  • General HIV- population
• Co-infections
  • Hepatitis B, C