Risk factors for incident herpes simplex type 2 virus infection among women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidence of herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) infection, to identify risk factors for its acquisition, and to assess the protective effect of condoms.


METHODS
Prospective study of 293 HSV-2 seronegative women, aged 18 to 35 years, attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Alabama from 1992 to 1995.


RESULTS
Incidence of HSV-2 infection was 20.5 per 100 woman-years [95% confidence interval (CI), 13.1-30.5]. Young women (18-20 years) had a significantly higher risk of incident HSV-2 infection [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4] than older women. Women diagnosed with prevalent or incident bacterial vaginosis had a higher incidence of HSV-2 infection than those who were not so diagnosed (adjusted HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6). No significant protective effect was observed for consistent (100%) condom use without breakage and slippage against HSV-2 acquisition (adjusted HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.2-2.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Acquisition of HSV-2 infection among study participants was higher than previous estimates for adult female sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees, and no protective effect for condoms was demonstrated. The high incidence of HSV-2 infection with its potential for adverse health consequences emphasizes the need for better prevention strategies.
Gallo
Maria F
MF
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA. mgallo@cdc.gov
Warner
Lee
L
Macaluso
Maurizio
M
Stone
Katherine M
KM
Brill
Ilene
I
Fleenor
Michael E
ME
Hook
Edward W
EW
Austin
Harland D
HD
Lee
Francis K
FK
Nahmias
André J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors