Prevalence and Risk Factors for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infections Among HIV Infected Individuals in Lagos

Abstract

Background: Out of the 1·4 million new HIV infections acquired sexually in 2016 among individuals aged 15–49 years, 420 000 were attributable to HSV-2 infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HSV-2 infections and associated risk factors among HIV infected individuals in Lagos. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for HSV – 2 infections in randomly selected HIV infected individuals at an HIV clinic. Blood samples were collected and tested for HSV-2 IgG antibodies with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IBL International, Germany). Result: Three hundred and sixty-three HIV infected participants were recruited into the study of which 259 (71.3%) were females and 104 (31.3%) were males. The mean age was 41.7±9.5 years. The prevalence of HSV-2 in HIV infected participants was 84% (95% CI 80 – 88%). The prevalence of HSV-2 was significantly higher in those older than 40 years with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.88 (95% CI [1.04 – 3.79], p=0.036) and those with a duration of HIV greater than 2 years with an adjusted odds ratio 2.5 (95% CI [1.3 – 4.85], p=0.007). Conclusion: The prevalence of HSV-2 in HIV infected individuals was very high. Older age and longer duration of HIV infection were the significant risk factors for HSV-2 infections. Routine screening of HIV infected patients for HSV-2 infections in HIV clinics should be practiced. Strategies for prevention and control of HSV-2 infections should be introduced.