Risk factors for incident herpes simplex type 2 virus infection among women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To estimate the incidence of herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) infection, to identify risk factors for its acquisition, and to assess the protective effect of condoms.

STUDY DESIGN:

Prospective study of 293 HSV-2 seronegative women, aged 18 to 35 years, attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Alabama from 1992 to 1995.

RESULTS:

Incidence of HSV-2 infection was 20.5 per 100 woman-years [95% confidence interval (CI), 13.1-30.5]. Young women (18-20 years) had a significantly higher risk of incident HSV-2 infection [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4] than older women. Women diagnosed with prevalent or incident bacterial vaginosis had a higher incidence of HSV-2 infection than those who were not so diagnosed (adjusted HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6). No significant protective effect was observed for consistent (100%) condom use without breakage and slippage against HSV-2 acquisition (adjusted HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.2-2.3).

CONCLUSION:

Acquisition of HSV-2 infection among study participants was higher than previous estimates for adult female sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees, and no protective effect for condoms was demonstrated. The high incidence of HSV-2 infection with its potential for adverse health consequences emphasizes the need for better prevention strategies.

• Authors: Maria F Gallo, Lee Warner, Maurizio Macaluso, Katherine M Stone, Ilene Brill, Michael E Fleenor, Edward W Hook 3rd, Harland D Austin, Francis K Lee, André J Nahmias
• Journal: Sexually transmitted diseases (Sex Transm Dis) Vol. 35 Issue 7 Pg. 679-85 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 0148-5717 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18461012 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alabama (epidemiology)
• Ambulatory Care Facilities
• Cohort Studies
• Condoms (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Herpes Genitalis (blood, epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control, virology)
• Herpesvirus 2, Human
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Prevalence
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Sex Factors