title: Population-based prevalence of antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 2 and socio-demographic characteristics in Mexico.
abstract: Although several studies to evaluate the correlates between seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and sexual practices have been carried out with specific groups in Mexico, none has evaluated overall seroprevalence among the general population or its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics. The National Health Survey performed during 2000 in Mexico studied a multi-stage, stratified, cluster sample of the general population. Characteristics of the adult population, such as age, formal education, marital status, residence, age at first intercourse and categories of HSV-2 seroprevalence distribution by state, were studied. Specific antibodies against HSV-2 were determined by ELISA. The weighted seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 17.3% (95% CI 15.8-18.8) and showed significant variations according to age, sex, marital status, residence, age at first intercourse and categories of HSV-2 seroprevalence distributed by state. In conclusion, the prevalence of HSV-2 varied significantly according to the socio-demographic and geographic characteristics of the adult population in Mexico. These results suggest that variations in HSV-2 seroprevalence could be related to socio-economic and sexual behavior characteristics of the population. However, to support these assertions, further work could focus on the study of sexual behavior and its relation with the socio-economic distribution of the population in Mexico.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Col. Sta. Ma. Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62508 Mexico.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uribe-Salas
authors.forename: Oswaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Palma-Coca
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Alemán
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olamendi
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Juárez-Figueroa
authors.forename: Carlos J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Conde-Glez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral