Seroprevalence of Herpes simplex Virus type-2 Among Patients Attending the Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Type-? (1ISV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes and the most common cause of genital ulcer disease «(ilID) worldwide. There is little information on the prevalence of IISV-2 in Nigeria. Methodology' Specimens were collected trom 162 volunteers attending Jos lIniversity Teaching Hospital and tested tor HSV-2 antibodies using HSV-2 Type specific IgC, FlA test kit (Globalerned l.LC Alexandria VA.lJSA) Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. P values ~ 0.05 were considered signi ficant. numhr Results: Out of the 162 individuals tested. 141 (87.0%) were HSV-2 positive. Infected individuals were more likely to be male than female (92.8% versus 86.4%: P > 0.(5). There were high rates of infection in all age groups. and the prevalence increased with age. However. multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IISV-2 prcv ulencc \\C1S not signilicantly associated with increasing age. sex. marital status. occupation. educational status. and number 01' sex partners (P ~ 0.05). Conclusions: The results highlight the potential public health impact of IISV-2 in Nigeria when: anti-HSV-2 testing is not generally performed in all populations. especinlly considering the risk or nconutul transmission and the attendant complications at birth.