Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among middle-age women in Brazil and the Philippines

Background: Data comparing type-specific herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2 ) seroprevalence and risk factors between comparable populations are largel y unavailable, particularly from less-developed countries. Goal: To examine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection and the risk factors for this infection among women in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Manila, the Phili ppines. Study Design: Altogether, 552 middle-aged women participating as control su bjects in two cervical cancer studies were screened for type-specific HSV-2 antibodies. Results: Heroes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was higher in Brazil (4 2%) than in the Philippines (92%). The mean ages of Brazilian (n = 181) and Filipino (n = 371) women were 52.4 and 46.6 years, respectively. Brazilian participants had more lifetime sexual partners, less education, and more o ften a husband with other sexual partners than Filipino women. Herpes simpl ex virus type 2 was independently associated with younger age at first inte rcourse in both countries, More than one lifetime sexual partner, a husband with other sexual partners, urban/semi-urban residence, and no history of condom use were HSV-2 risk factors in Brazil, but not in the Philippines, w here long-term hormonal contraceptive use was associated with increased ris k. Conclusions: The higher HSV-2 seroprevalence in Brazil than in the Philippi nes may be explained largely by differences in the sexual behavior of women and their husbands. Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence data may be used as a marker of past sexual behavior for the direct comparison of diff erent population groups.