Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among middle-age women in Brazil and the Philippines.
BACKGROUND
Data comparing type-specific herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and risk factors between comparable populations are largely unavailable, particularly from less-developed countries.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection and the risk factors for this infection among women in São Paulo, Brazil, and Manila, the Philippines.


METHODS
Altogether, 552 middle-aged women participating as control subjects in two cervical cancer studies were screened for type-specific HSV-2 antibodies.


RESULTS
Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was higher in Brazil (42%) than in the Philippines (9.2%). The mean ages of Brazilian (n = 181) and Filipino (n = 371) women were 52.4 and 46.6 years, respectively. Brazilian participants had more lifetime sexual partners, less education, and more often a husband with other sexual partners than Filipino women. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was independently associated with younger age at first intercourse in both countries. More than one lifetime sexual partner, a husband with other sexual partners, urban/semi-urban residence, and no history of condom use were HSV-2 risk factors in Brazil, but not in the Philippines, where long-term hormonal contraceptive use was associated with increased risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher HSV-2 seroprevalence in Brazil than in the Philippines may be explained largely by differences in the sexual behavior of women and their husbands. Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence data may be used as a marker of past sexual behavior for the direct comparison of different population groups.
Smith
J S
JS
International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. smith@iarc.fr
Herrero
R
R
Muñoz
N
N
Eluf-Neto
J
J
Ngelangel
C
C
Bosch
F X
FX
Ashley
R L
RL
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners
D000914:Antibodies, Viral