Prevalence and risk factors of HSV-2 infection and HSV-2/HIV coinfection in men who have sex with men in China: a multisite cross-sectional study

• Published in: Sexually transmitted diseases Vol. 39; no. 5; p. 354
• Main Authors: Yin, Yue-Ping, Chen, Shao-Chun, Wang, Hong-Chun, Wei, Wan-Hui, Wang, Qian-Qiu, Liang, Guo-Jun, Jiang, Ning, Han, Yan, Chen, Xiang-Sheng, Wang, Baoxi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - epidemiology; Adolescent; Adult; Blotting, Western; China - epidemiology; Coinfection; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Herpes Genitalis - epidemiology; Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; China
• ISSN: 1537-4521
• DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318244aef0

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and its coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. A convenience sample of 1462 MSM were recruited from different settings (an STD clinic, a health center, and MSM venues) in 3 cities in China. Blood specimens were collected for testing for antibodies to HSV-2 and HIV to determinate the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection and HSV-2/HIV coinfection. Information on sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics was collected to determine the risk factors associated with the infections. The prevalence of HSV-2 infection in 1462 MSM was 16.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.2%-18.0%), the prevalence of HIV infection in this population was 9.5% (95% CI, 8.1%-11.1%), and the rate of coinfection of HSV-2 and HIV was 3.2% (95% CI, 2.4%-4.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for HSV-2 infection included age older than 30 years, education level lower than senior high school, involvement in commercial sex work, and HIV-positive status. Education level lower than junior high school and history of sexual abuse were associated with HSV-2/HIV coinfection. The high prevalence of HSV-2 infection and HSV-2/HIV coinfection among MSM in China suggests that an increased focus on HSV control is warranted within China's prevention and intervention programs targeted toward MSM.