title: Prevalence of specific herpes simplex virus-2 antibodies and associated factors in women of a rural town of Colombia.
abstract: There is lack of age-specific seroprevalence surveys and identification of factors associated with herpes simplex virus type-2 seropositivity (HSV-2) in rural populations in Colombia. A random sample of 869 women was interviewed about socio-demographic aspects, sexual and reproductive history. Antibodies to HSV-2 were determined by a specific type immunoenzymatic technique (ELISA). Participants had a mean age of 38±16.1 years, 67% were married, 60% monogamous and 47% reported use of condoms. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 19.1% (95% CI: 16.6-21.9) and it was strongly associated with increasing age (Ptrend<0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, women who reported between two or three lifetime sexual partners (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.5-3.7), >31 years of sexual activity with regular or occasional sexual partners (OR=4.3; 95% CI: 1.2-15.7) and not using condoms with regular sexual partners (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.3) were more likely to be HSV-2 seropositive. The overall seroprevalence rate of women of Pueblorrico, Colombia, is lower than that reported in other Latin American countries especially in women>45 years. The difference may be explained by higher prevalence of condom use in this population or lower exposure to herpes infection in male as well as females in the past.
authors.affiliation: Group of Epidemiology, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia.
authors.forename: Clara A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: Astrid M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bedoya
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baena
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gaviria
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Arbelaez
authors.forename: Gloria I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral