Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) Infection in Women Attending an Antenatal Clinic in the South Pacific Island Nation of Vanuatu

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in women in an antenatal clinic in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. A prevalence survey of sexually transmitted infections of pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at Vila Central Hospital was conducted in 1999-2000. Serum samples were tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results for other sexually transmitted infections and demographic and obstetric variables were analyzed for their association with HSV-2 serostatus. HSV-2 serum antibody results were obtained on 535 women and HSV-1 results on 134. The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 30% and HSV-1 was 100%. On multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of HSV-2 infection were age, marital status, and trichomoniasis. HSV-2 was common in this sample of sexually active women in Vanuatu. This is the first study of HSV in Vanuatu and one of very few studies in the Pacific region.