title: The epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in low-income urban populations in coastal Peru.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in general and socially marginalized populations of low-income, urban, coastal Peru.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two low-income populations were administered an epidemiologic survey and serologic tests, determining risk behavior, HSV-2, and HIV prevalence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the socially marginalized population, HSV-2 prevalence was 72.3% in men who have sex only with men (MSOM), 42.5% in women, and 20.7% in men. In the general population, HSV-2 prevalence was 20.5% in women and 7.1% in men. In all groups except the male general population, HSV-2 prevalence increased with age or number of sexually active years (both P <0.001). HSV-2 infection was associated with HIV infection in MSOM (P <0.023) and other socially marginalized men (P <0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSV-2 was common in both low-income populations, and control programs are needed in Peru given high prevalence and association with HIV infection. Prevention of HSV-2 infection should target individuals before they become sexually active.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Kelika A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Konda
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Klausner
authors.forename: Andres G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Lescano
authors.forename: Segundo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Franca R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pajuelo
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Caceres
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Coates
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies