Genital Herpes in a Primary Care Clinic: Demographic and Sexual Correlates of Herpes Simplex Type 2 Infections

Background and Objectives: Genital herpes remains one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The sexual behavioral correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in the general population have not been well characterized. Goals: To assess demographic and sexual beha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexually transmitted diseases 1997-03, Vol.24 (3), p.149-155
Main Authors: WALD, ANNA, KOUTSKY, LAURA, ASHLEY, RHODA L., COREY, LAWRENCE
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Antibodies, Viral - blood
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
General aspects
Herpes Genitalis - epidemiology
Herpes Simplex - epidemiology
Herpesvirus 2, Human - immunology
Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models
Humans
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Sexual Behavior
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Summary:Background and Objectives: Genital herpes remains one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The sexual behavioral correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in the general population have not been well characterized. Goals: To assess demographic and sexual behavioral correlates of symptomatic and subclinical HSV-2 infection. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey of 922 randomly chosen patients and 78 of their partners (1,000 total) in a family practice. Sexual behavior information was collected in 492 people. Results: Two hundred twenty-five (23%) heterosexual people had HSV-2 infection, but only 59 (26%) reported a history of genital herpes. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 6 3 % in African-American women, 27% in white women, 40% in African-American men, and 12% in white men. In multivariate analyses of risk factors for HSV-2 infection among men, 10 or more sexual partners and a prior STD were statistically significantly associated with HSV-2 infection. Among white women, number of sexual partners, a prior STD, marriage or cohabitation, and less than a college education were predictive of HSV-2 infection. A history of oral sex was the only statistically significant predictor of HSV-2 infection in African-American women. Conclusions: Risk factors for HSV-2 infection differ by gender and ethnic group. Traditionally recognized behavioral correlates of STD acquisition may not identify people in communities with high prevalence of HSV-2 infection.
ISSN:0148-5717
1537-4521
DOI:10.1097/00007435-199703000-00005