Prevalence and incidence of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among male Zimbabwean factory workers

Stored sera from a cohort of 2397 male factory workers in Harare, Zimbabwe, were screened for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-specific antibodies, to estimate the prevalence and incidence of genital herpes infection and t o assess the relation between HSV-2 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. The prevalence of HSV-2 at enrollment was 39.8%, Correlates of HSV-2 seropositivity were HIV seropositivity, marital status, history of s exually transmitted disease (STD), older age, and higher income. The incide nce of HSV-2 seroconversion during follow-up was 6.2/100 person-years. Corr elates of HSV-2 seroconversion were enrollment while HIV-positive or seroco nversion during follow-up, reported genital ulcer, history of STD, and numb er of sex partners, No evidence was found that HSV-2 infection was more lik ely to precede HIV or vice versa, HSV-2 and HIV seropositivity are strong m arkers for high-risk sexual behavior. Improved interventions targeted to po pulations in which the incidence of either viral infection is high are need ed.