title: Herpes simplex virus type 2 serological testing at a community court: predictors of test acceptance and seropositivity among female defendants.
abstract: Despite the high prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), testing for asymptomatic infections is uncommon. One population for whom targeted interventions may be prioritized include individuals involved with the correctional system. Here we describe the acceptability of a novel HSV-2 screening program, implemented in a court setting, as a possible intervention for corrections-involved women. Female defendants completed an interviewer administered survey assessing factors associated with uptake/refusal of free point-of-care HSV-2 serologic testing and HSV-2 seropositivity. Participants included 143 women, 18-62 years old (mean 32.85) with diverse ethnicities. The majority (65.7%) accepted testing and 62.4% tested HSV-2 seropositive. Factors independently associated with test acceptance included higher perceived susceptibility to genital herpes infection and not receiving a preventative health screen. Women who were seropositive tended to be older, Black, report having previous STI, and be arrested on a prostitution charge. Findings suggest point-of-care testing in a court setting is acceptable to women and can be implemented to improve case finding of STI.
authors: Divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Roth
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Van Der Pol
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Fortenberry
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Reece
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Dodge
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Certo
authors: G D
authors: GD
authors: Zimet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D033222:Judicial Role; D016015:Logistic Models; D018580:Mandatory Testing; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: community court; genital herpes; herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2); predictors; seropositivity; sexually transmitted infections; testing