Article Text
Abstract
Objective Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to human alphaherpesvirus 2 (HSV-2) infection due to their high numbers of sexual partners. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk behaviours associated with HSV-2.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A total of 376 FSWs were recruited by respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methodology and answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to test for HSV-2 antibodies using commercial ELISA and for HSV-2 DNA using real-time PCR.
Results The seropositivity was 47.3% (178/376) for HSV-2 IgG and 10.1% (38/376) for HSV-2 IgM. HSV-2 viraemia was detected in two infected FSWs with primary infections. In bivariate and multivariate analyses, the OR for HSV-2 IgG increased with age (OR=2.53–7.90, OR=2.66–6.37) and the number of sexual partners (OR=2.30–3.25). On the other hand, daily alcohol consumption (OR=0.10) and the use of condoms during the last intercourse (OR=0.47) were protective factors against HSV-2 acquisition.
Conclusion Despite the impact of FSWs in public health policies with the dissemination of sexually transmitted infections, there have been few studies performed regarding the prevalence of HSV-2 in Brazil, making it difficult to implement any control or preventative measures. The results produced here using an RDS methodology demonstrated a high prevalence, risk behaviours and primary infection among the FSWs. These results reinforce the need to implement control and preventative measures for HSV-2 infection in this population.
- herpes
- sexual behaviour
- virology
- women
Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article.
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Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article.
Footnotes
Handling editor Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein
Contributors LRPL, ASdS, GJM, FRPF, MP, GR, TT, LC, ARCM-C and VSdP were responsible for the study design, field logistics and sampling. LRPL, MAH and VSdP were major contributors in writing the manuscript. NAAA and LRPL performed the diagnostic tests. MAH and VSdP analysed and interpreted the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding This work was supported by Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (grants E-26/110.311/2014) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.