Sexual and demographic determinants for herpes simplex virus type 2 among fishermen along Lake Victoria, Kenya.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seropositivity among fishermen along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu district, Kenya.


METHODS
Sera from a random sample of 250 fishermen from 18 beaches were collected after a detailed sociodemographic interview. HSV-2 infection was tested by Kalon HSV-2 ELISA.


RESULTS
The HSV-2 seroprevalence was 63.9%. In multivariate analysis, fishermen were more likely to be infected with HSV-2 if they were HIV positive (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.27; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.52) compared with those testing HIV negative, were aged 18-20 (PR 0.49; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.99) and older than 40 (PR 1.66; 95% CI 1.30 to 2.14) years compared with those aged 21-25 years, perceived their last two sexual partners to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI; PR 1.27; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.52) compared with those who did not and were more likely to be circumcised (PR 1.49; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.86).


CONCLUSIONS
HSV-2 seroprevalence is high among this population and is associated with HIV serostatus, age, perception about partner's STI status and circumcision.
O Ng'ayo
M
M
Kenya Medical Research Institute, CMRUCSF Building, Lumumba Health Center, PO Box 614, 40100 Kisumu, Kenya. motieno@kemri-ucsf.org
Bukusi
E
E
A Morrow
R
R
Rowhani-Rahbar
A
A
A Obare
B
B
Friedrich
D
D
Holmes
K K
KK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005398:Fisheries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*