Sexual behavioral correlates with HSV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The burden of HSV-2 infection, the cause of most cases of genital herpes in Nigeria, varies from region to region; and so are the associated factors. This infection is known to be responsible for several negative pregnancy outcomes. There is currently no documented data on sexual behavioral factors associated with the occurrence of HSV-2 infection or seroprevalence among pregnant women in Nigeria. This study aimed at identifying the sexual behavioral correlates of HSV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: The cross-sectional study design was adopted and the study took place between November 2011 and June 2012. Four hundred and ten consenting ante-natal clinic patients in two major tertiary hospitals in Benin City were consecutively and prospectively included. Data sources were represented by questionnaires, the patient's case records and laboratory investigations. Each patient's serum was analyzed for HSV-2 antibody detection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Results: Four hundred and ten patients were enrolled with average age 30.6 years. Seroprevalence of HSV-2 antibody was 47.3%. Sexual behavioral factors that were significantly associated with HSV-2 seroprevalence included early exposure to sexual intercourse, number of sex partners, involvement in polygamous marriages, involvement of husband in extra-marital affairs and hormonal contraceptive use. Conclusion: The prevalence of HSV-2 among pregnant women in Benin City is high. Public health campaigns aimed at: delaying onset of sexual activity; encouraging monogamous relationships; and emphasizing that hormonal contraceptives do not protect from STI's, are recommended.

SERO-prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 among women attending routine Cervicare clinics in Ghana

“…Other research supports our findings that earlier age of sexual intercourse is associated with prevalence of HSV-2 infection. Our findings correlated with those reported in Nigeria, India and Zimbabwe [ 23 – 25 ].…”

“…A study conducted in Sudan among pregnant women reported a prevalence rate of 34.6% for HSV-2 infection [ 21 ] and 20.7% in Tanzania [ 22 ]. Two independent studies from Nigeria reported lower sero-prevalence of HSV-2 infection among pregnant women, 44.3% [ 12 ] and 47.3% [ 23 ] than we found.…”

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analyses

“…HSV-2 prevalence of 30-80% in women, and 10-50% in men has been reported in Sub-Saharan Africa [11]. In Nigeria, the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 has been reported in several populations such as female sex workers [12], pregnant women attending antenatal clinics [13,14], children and young adults [15,16], as well as individuals attending sexually transmitted infections clinic [17]. The prevalence of herpes simplex infection was estimated to range between 9.2% and 100%.…”

Behavioral, Psychological, Gender, and Health Service Correlates to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection among Young Adult Mexican-American Women Living in a Disadvantaged Community

“…2 Subclinical manifestations of HSV-2 are particularly concerning given the documented heightened risk of HIV acquisition among HSV-2 infected individuals. 3,4 Due to this relationship with HIV, the majority of HSV-2 research has focused on international populations, mainly in Africa, 5,6 and among men who have sex with men (MSM). 7,8 Although research indicates women are particularly susceptible for HSV-2, 9,10 less attention has been given to correlates of HSV-2 among women in the United States, particularly among Mexican-American women.…”