Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among middle-age women in Brazil and the Philippines

• Published in: Sexually transmitted diseases Vol. 28; no. 4; p. 187
• Main Authors: Smith, J S, Herrero, R, Muñoz, N, Eluf-Neto, J, Ngelangel, C, Bosch, F X, Ashley, R L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Antibodies, Viral - blood; Brazil - epidemiology; Condoms; Female; Herpes Genitalis - epidemiology; Herpesvirus 2, Human - immunology; Humans; Middle Aged; Philippines - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Brazil; Philippines
• ISSN: 0148-5717
• DOI: 10.1097/00007435-200104000-00001

Data comparing type-specific herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and risk factors between comparable populations are largely unavailable, particularly from less-developed countries. To examine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection and the risk factors for this infection among women in São Paulo, Brazil, and Manila, the Philippines. Altogether, 552 middle-aged women participating as control subjects in two cervical cancer studies were screened for type-specific HSV-2 antibodies. Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was higher in Brazil (42%) than in the Philippines (9.2%). The mean ages of Brazilian (n = 181) and Filipino (n = 371) women were 52.4 and 46.6 years, respectively. Brazilian participants had more lifetime sexual partners, less education, and more often a husband with other sexual partners than Filipino women. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was independently associated with younger age at first intercourse in both countries. More than one lifetime sexual partner, a husband with other sexual partners, urban/semi-urban residence, and no history of condom use were HSV-2 risk factors in Brazil, but not in the Philippines, where long-term hormonal contraceptive use was associated with increased risk. The higher HSV-2 seroprevalence in Brazil than in the Philippines may be explained largely by differences in the sexual behavior of women and their husbands. Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence data may be used as a marker of past sexual behavior for the direct comparison of different population groups.