Factors predicting the acceptance of herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody testing among adolescents and young adults.
BACKGROUND
The rates and determinants of acceptance of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) testing have not been adequately studied.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with acceptance of HSV-2 antibody testing in individuals with no history of genital herpes.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional survey study followed by the offer of free HSV-2 serologic testing at an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, 2 general adult medical clinics, an urban university campus, and an urban adolescent medicine clinic. A total of 1199 individuals aged 14 to 30 years completed the survey and were offered testing.


RESULTS
A total of 68.4% accepted HSV-2 testing. Factors independently associated with acceptance were female sex, older age, having an STD history, having 1 or more sexual partners in the last 6 months, perceived vulnerability to HSV-2 infection, and perceived benefits of HSV-2 testing. Fear of needles predicted rejection of testing, as did attending a general medical clinic versus an STD clinic and nonwhite race.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a substantial interest in HSV-2 antibody testing across a variety of settings. Those at greatest behavioral and historic risk for HSV-2 infection, women, and persons whose health beliefs are consistent with testing are more likely to accept serologic testing when it is offered.
Zimet
Gregory D
GD
Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA. gzimet@iupui.edu
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Brady
Rebecca C
RC
Tu
Wanzhu
W
Wu
Jingwei
J
Bernstein
David I
DI
Stanberry
Lawrence R
LR
Stone
Katherine M
KM
Leichliter
Jami S
JS
Fife
Kenneth H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D014504:Urban Health
D000914:Antibodies, Viral