Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among bar and hotel workers in northern Tanzania: prevalence and risk factors.
BACKGROUND
Type-specific serological tests have allowed for a better understanding of the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in Africa.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to determine risk factors for HSV-2 among bar and hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 515 workers in randomly selected bars and hotels in Moshi.


RESULTS
The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 43.5%. Women were more likely to be HSV-2-seropositive than men (age-adjusted OR = 3.8; 95% CI = 2.5-5.8). In multivariate analyses, age was positively associated with HSV-2 in both women and men. HIV-1-seropositive women had a significantly increased risk of HSV-2 infection (adjusted OR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.5-5.1). Other predictors of HSV-2 were religion and sexual behavior for women and level of education, frequency of alcohol use, and concurrent partners for men.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common genital infection was that with HSV-2. Control of HSV-2 might be an important strategy for HIV-1 infection prevention in this population.
Kapiga
Saidi H
SH
Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. skapiga@hsph.harvard.edu
Sam
Noel E
NE
Shao
John F
JF
Masenga
Elisante J
EJ
Renjifo
Boris
B
Kiwelu
Ireen E
IE
Manongi
Rachel
R
Fawzi
Wafaie W
WW
Essex
Max
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace