Prevalence and correlates of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 and syphilis infections in the general population in India.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and correlates of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) and syphilis infections in the general population in India.


METHODS
2456 adults were surveyed in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh in India. Socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire, and a dried blood spot (DBS) was collected from all individuals aged 18 years and over; sexual behaviour was collected from those aged 18-49 years. DBS samples were tested for HSV-2 and syphilis serology. The association between HSV-2 and syphilis infections with socio-demographic and behavioural variables was analysed using multivariable logistic regression.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HSV-2 and syphilis was 10.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Geographic differences in HSV-2 prevalence were significant, while for syphilis it was comparable. Urban-rural differences in prevalence were only seen for syphilis. For both infections, the prevalence between males and females was not significantly different. In males and females, HSV-2 prevalence increased significantly with increasing age; for syphilis, a slight trend was seen only in females. In a multivariable analysis, HSV-2 infection in males and females was associated with site, religion and testing positive for syphilis, in addition to reporting ≥ 2 lifetime partners in the previous year among males and being ever married or having had sex with a non-regular partner in the last year among females.


CONCLUSIONS
The burden and geographic heterogeneity of HSV-2 and syphilis infections in India are significant. A national household and DBS-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance system would enable monitoring, especially in relation to the HIV epidemic, and planning of evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes.
Centre for Global Health Research, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
S K
SK
Sgaier
P
P
Mony
S
S
Jayakumar
C
C
McLaughlin
P
P
Arora
R
R
Kumar
P
P
Bhatia
P
P
Jha
D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult