Seroprevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 among urban Tanzanian women.
BACKGROUND
Data on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) among women in the general population of developing countries are limited.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 and to identify clinical, demographic, and behavioral correlates among women attending primary health care clinics.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional survey of 382 randomly chosen women aged 15 to 49 years.


RESULTS
The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 39%. Only 2% had a history of genital herpes. HSV-2 was associated with antibody to HIV-1 (OR=2.3 [CI, 1.1-4.7]), syphilis (OR=4.7 [CI, 1.4-4.7]), and genital ulcers (OR=9.7 [CI 2.5-36.9]). Age, sexual debut, number of sex partners, and history of spontaneous abortion were found to be significantly associated with HSV-2. Eighty-two percent of the women with genital ulcers were HSV-2-seropositive, while syphilis accounted for 6% of cases. HSV-2 may thus be the most common cause of genital ulcers in this population.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the high HSV-2 seroprevalence and its association with HIV-1 and genital ulcers, integration of HSV-2 therapeutic management in STD syndromic algorithms is recommended. Counseling on symptom recognition, asymptomatic shedding, and preventive measures is needed.
Msuya
Sia E
SE
Department of International Health, Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. siamsuya@hotmail.com
Mbizvo
Elizabeth
E
Hussain
Akhtar
A
Sam
Noel E
NE
Jeansson
Stig
S
Stray-Pedersen
Babill
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health; D016387:Women's Health