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 ( P trend < 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.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.