Brown JM, Rungruengthanakit K, Rugpao S, Cornelisse PG, Padian N, Morrison C; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. ThPeC7385.

University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States

Background: Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is an indicator of sexual risk behavior and is an important facilitating factor for HIV transmission. Animal models suggest that sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, may influence the risk of HSV-2 acquisition. The objective of this analysis was to measure the prevalence and incidence of HSV-2 among women in Thailand, and assess the independent effect of common hormonal contraceptive (HC) methods, namely Depo-Provera and combined oral contraceptives, on the incidence of HSV-2 in this population. Methods: Between 1999-2002, we recruited 1,574 HIV-uninfected women aged 18-35 into a 2-year prospective study of HC use and HIV. Participants were recruited from family planning and STD clinics. At baseline and quarterly, we used a standardized questionnaire to collect socio-demographic characteristics, contraceptive history, and sexual behavior, and performed a physical (including pelvic) exam, and tested sera for HSV-2 antibod ies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent predictors of HSV-2 incidence. Results: Overall HSV-2 prevalence was high at baseline (38%) and ranged from 14% among women under 20 years of age to 49% among women >30 years of age. Among women without HSV-2 at baseline, 67 (7.7%) acquired HSV-2 during the study period. In multivariate analyses controlling for woman's age, partner's age, and condom use, women reporting more than one sex partner were at increased risk for HSV-2 acquisition (OR=4.79, 95% CI (1.7,13.3)) while women using HC (e ither Depo-Provera or combined oral contraceptives) were significantly less likely to acquire HSV-2 compared to women not using HC (OR=0.49, 95% CI (0.27,0.88)). There was no difference between the effect of Depo-Provera and the effect of COC on HSV-2 incidence. Conclusions: This analysis indicates that the prevalence and incidence of HSV-2 is high in this population. Women using HC were significantly less likely to acquire HSV-2 compared to women not using HC.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Contraceptive Agents
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Herpesvirus 2, Human
• Humans
• Incidence
• Medroxyprogesterone 17-Acetate
• Prevalence
• Prospective Studies
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexual Partners
• Thailand
• epidemiology
• utilization

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0036948

UI: 102281164

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