title: Disparities in herpes simplex virus type 2 infection between black and white men who have sex with men in Atlanta, GA.
abstract: HIV disproportionately affects black men who have sex with men, and herpes simplex virus type 2 is known to increase acquisition of HIV. However, data on racial disparities in herpes simplex virus type 2 prevalence and risk factors are limited among men who have sex with men in the United States. InvolveMENt was a cohort study of black and white HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Atlanta, GA. Univariate and multivariate cross-sectional associations with herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence were assessed among 455 HIV-negative men who have sex with men for demographic, behavioural and social determinant risk factors using logistic regression. Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 was 23% (48/211) for black and 16% (38/244) for white men who have sex with men (p = 0.05). Education, poverty, drug/alcohol use, incarceration, circumcision, unprotected anal intercourse, and condom use were not associated with herpes simplex virus type 2. In multivariate analyses, black race for those ≤25 years, but not >25 years, and number of sexual partners were significantly associated. Young black men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by herpes simplex virus type 2, which may contribute to disparities in HIV acquisition. An extensive assessment of risk factors did not explain this disparity in herpes simplex virus type 2 infection suggesting differences in susceptibility or partner characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Netochukwu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okafor
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Eli S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: del Rio
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA colleen.kelley@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Colleen F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Kelley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult; D001741:Black or African American
keywords: AIDS; HIV; HSV2; Sexually transmitted infections; USA; disparities; herpes simplex virus type 2; men who have sex with men; seroprevalence