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. 2007 Dec 15;46(5):631-42.
doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31815b2d9c.

Risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 and HIV among women at high risk in northwestern Tanzania: preparing for an HSV-2 intervention trial

Deborah Watson-Jones  1 , Helen A Weiss, Mary Rusizoka, Kathy Baisley, Kokugonza Mugeye, John Changalucha, Dean Everett, Rebecca Balira, Louise Knight, David Ross, Richard J Hayes
Affiliations

Risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 and HIV among women at high risk in northwestern Tanzania: preparing for an HSV-2 intervention trial

Deborah Watson-Jones et al. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. .

Abstract

Objectives: To determine prevalence of and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HIV among women being screened for a randomized, controlled trial of HSV suppressive therapy in northwestern Tanzania.

Methods: Two thousand seven hundred nineteen female facility workers aged 16 to 35 were interviewed and underwent serological testing for HIV and HSV-2. Factors associated with HSV-2 and HIV in women aged 16 to 24 were examined using logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: HSV-2 seroprevalence was 80%, and HIV seroprevalence was 30%. Among women aged 16 to 24, both infections were significantly and independently associated with older age, being a bar worker, working at a truck stop, and having more lifetime sexual partners. HSV-2 infection was also associated with lower socioeconomic status, increased alcohol intake, younger age at first sex, inconsistent condom use, and vaginal douching. There was a strong association between the 2 infections after adjustment for other factors (OR = 4.22, 95% CI: 2.6 to 6.9).

Conclusions: Female facility workers in northwestern Tanzania are vulnerable to HSV-2 and HIV infections. Programs designed to increase safer sexual behavior and reduce alcohol use could be effective in reducing HSV-2 incidence and, in turn, HIV infection. This is a suitable population for an HSV suppressive therapy trial.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Seroprevalence of HSV2 and HIV among high risk women in NW Tanzania, by age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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