Correlates of herpes simplex virus seroprevalence among women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.
BACKGROUND
Infections by herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are common in the United States. Herpes simplex virus type 2 is transmitted sexually, and the prevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 has increased in recent years.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies among women attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic and to evaluate factors associated with HSV-1 and HSV-2 seropositivity.


METHODS
The report describes a cross-sectional study conducted at an STD clinic. This study included 1,103 women between the ages of 18 and 35. Eighty-nine percent of the subjects were African Americans. The remaining subjects were white.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies among study subjects was 72% and 64%, respectively. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 seropositivity were related directly to age and were higher among African Americans than whites. The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies also increased with the number of lifetime sexual partners, an early age at first coitus, a history of syphilis, and the absence of HSV-1 antibodies. Drug use and recent use of barrier contraception were unrelated to either HSV-1 or HSV-2.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite efforts by the public health community to prevent AIDS by promoting safe sexual practices, the prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity has increased in recent years. Increased numbers of partners and an early age at first coitus are important correlates of HSV-2 infection. Public health interventions to prevent HSV-2 infection should target teenagers. Women of reproductive age attending STD clinics may also comprise an important target for interventions to prevent perinatal herpes.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
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H
Austin
M
M
Macaluso
A
A
Nahmias
F K
FK
Lee
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J
Kelaghan
M
M
Fleenor
E W
EW
Hook
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003267:Contraception; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners
D000914:Antibodies, Viral