Antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2 as a marker of sexual risk behavior in rural Tanzania

A serosurvey was conducted in a random sample of 259 women and 231 men in 1 2 rural communities in Mwanza Region, Tanzania, using a type-specific ELISA for Herpes simpler virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. Seroprevalence rose ste eply with age to similar to 75% in women greater than or equal to 25 years old and 60% in men greater than or equal to 30. After adjusting for age and residence, HSV-2 prevalence was higher in women who were married, in a pol ygamous marriage, Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA)-positive , had more lifetime sex partners, or who had not traveled. Prevalence was h igher in men who were married, had lived elsewhere, had more lifetime partn ers, had used condoms, or were TPHA-positive, HSV-2 infection was significa ntly associated with recent history of genital ulcer. The association betwe en HSV-2 infection and lifetime sex partners was strongest in those <25 yea rs old in both sexes. This association supports the use of HSV-2 serology a s a marker of risk behavior in this population, particularly among young pe ople.