Water, socioeconomic factors, and human herpesvirus 8 infection in Ugandan children and their mothers.
BACKGROUND
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is common in sub-Saharan Africa, but its distribution is uneven. Transmission occurs during childhood within families by unclear routes.


METHODS
We evaluated 600 Ugandan children with sickle cell disease and their mothers for factors associated with HHV-8 seropositivity in a cross-sectional study. HHV-8 serostatus was determined using an HHV-8 K8.1 glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay. Odds ratios for seropositivity were estimated using logistic regression, and factor analysis was used to identify clustering among socioeconomic variables.


RESULTS
One hundred seventeen (21%) of 561 children and 166 (34%) of 485 mothers with definite HHV-8 serostatus were seropositive. For children, seropositivity was associated with age, mother's HHV-8 serostatus (especially for children aged 6 years or younger), lower maternal education level, mother's income, and low-status father's occupation (P < 0.05 for all). Using communal standpipe or using surface water sources were both associated with seropositivity (OR 2.70, 95% CI 0.80-9.06 and 4.02, 95% CI 1.18-13.7, respectively) as compared to using private tap water. These associations remained, albeit attenuated, after adjusting for maternal education and child's age (P = 0.08). In factor analysis, low scores on environmental and family factors, which captured household and parental characteristics, respectively, were positively associated with seropositivity (P(trend) < 0.05 for both). For mothers, HHV-8 seropositivity was significantly associated with water source and maternal income.


CONCLUSIONS
HHV-8 infection in Ugandan children was associated with lower socioeconomic status and using surface water. Households with limited access to water may have less hygienic practices that increase risk for HHV-8 infection.
Mbulaiteye
Sam M
SM
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. mbulaits@mail.nih.gov
Biggar
Robert J
RJ
Pfeiffer
Ruth M
RM
Bakaki
Paul M
PM
Gamache
Christine
C
Owor
Anchilla M
AM
Katongole-Mbidde
Edward
E
Ndugwa
Christopher M
CM
Goedert
James J
JJ
Whitby
Denise
D
Engels
Eric A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007223:Infant; D016017:Odds Ratio; D035781:Siblings; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards