title: Herpes simplex virus type 2 seropositivity among urban adults in Africa: results from two cross-sectional surveys in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although several surveys investigating the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection using type-specific immunologic assays have been carried out in Africa, none has examined the risk factors for HSV-2 infection in a representative sample from an urban adult population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of HSV-2 infection in the adult population of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to identify risk factors for HSV-2 infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional surveys, one community-based (June to September 1996, n = 506) and one factory-based (February to November 1997, n = 657), were conducted. Samples were tested for HSV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies using type-specific enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the community-based survey, HSV-2 prevalence increased with age until 25 years, then leveled off at 50% in both genders. The same independent predictors of HSV-2 infection were identified in both genders: older age, higher lifetime number of sexual partners, positive HIV serology, and positive Treponema pallidum hemagglutination serology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed the high prevalence of HSV-2 infection among adults in an African urban population and its association with HIV infection. Prevention of HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted infections through partner reduction and condom use should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Wude
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mihret
authors.forename: Tobias F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Rinke de Wit
authors.forename: Beyene
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Petros
authors.forename: Yared
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mekonnen
authors.forename: Aster
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsegaye
authors.forename: Dawit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wolday
authors.forename: Asfaw
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beyene
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aklilu
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Arnaud L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fontanet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000351:Africa, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*