Sexual behavior and herpes simplex virus 2 infection in college students.
BACKGROUND
Given the relevance of HSV-2 infection in youth, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 in college students in Cuernavaca, Mexico, as well as the sociodemographic and sexual behavioral characteristics associated with this infection.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out using convenience sampling with consenting students of both genders. Students answered a questionnaire and provided a blood sample to detect antibodies to HSV-2 by Western blot. To establish the magnitude of the association between the prevalence of HSV-2 infection and the selected risk factors, we estimated prevalence odds ratios by performing logistic analyses of these results


RESULTS
Overall seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 5.9% (20/340; CI(95%) 3.7-8.9), 7.0% (14/200; CI(95%) 3.9-11.5) for women and 4.3% (6/140; CI(95%) 1.6-9.1) for men. HSV-2 infection was independently associated with female sex (POR=5.3, CI(95%) 1.4-19.7), age (26 years and over, POR=4.7, CI(95%) 1.0-22.2), number of sexual partners over the last year (two or more partners POR=4.1, CI(95%) 1.2-14.2), a history of genital ulcers (POR=6.1, CI(95%) 1.9-19.8), and having been paid for sex (POR=21.4, CI(95%) 1.0-447.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of HSV-2 infection among these students was lower than in other Mexican populations who have high-risk sexual behavior. However, there was a subgroup of participants identified as having high-risk sexual behavior. These individuals could, therefore, be prone to acquiring and transmitting HSV-2 infection and represent the target group for whom preventive interventions against HSV-2 and other STIs might be developed.
Sánchez-Alemán
Miguel A
MA
Center for Research in Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
Conde-Glez
Carlos J
CJ
Gayet
Cecilia
C
García-Cisneros
Santa
S
Uribe-Salas
Felipe
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires