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KAIS 2007 1 - Kenya National AIDS & STI Control Programme ...

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• Overall, 35.1% of adults were infected with HSV‐2, the virus that causes genitalherpes; HSV‐2 prevalence among women was significantly higher than among men(41.7% and 26.3%, respectively).• The prevalence of HSV‐2 infection varied significantly by number of lifetime sexualpartners, number of partners in the past 12 months, and male circumcision status.• Among HSV2‐infected adults, 16.4% were infected with HIV. Among HSV‐2‐uninfected people, 2.1%% were infected with HIV.• <strong>STI</strong>s or symptoms of <strong>STI</strong> were reported by 4.6% of HSV2‐infected adults.• Among HIV‐discordant couples, one partner was infected with HSV‐2 in 29.3% ofcouples and both partners were infected with HSV‐2 in 49.8% of couples.12.2 IntroductionThe <strong>2007</strong> <strong>KAIS</strong> was the first national seroprevalence survey of herpes simplex virus‐2 (HSV‐2) in<strong>Kenya</strong>. HSV‐2 is a <strong>STI</strong> and is the leading cause of genital ulcer disease around the world. Pregnantwomen with active HSV‐2 lesions (blisters) can transmit the infection to their babies during birth, andnewly HSV‐2‐infected women are at high risk for perinatal transmission. HSV2‐infected individualsare often asymptomatic, and most do not know they are infected. Those with symptoms suffer fromgenital irritation, ulcers and/or excoriation. Infection is life‐long but rarely life‐threatening; oncesomeone has been infected, he or she will remain infected and HSV‐2 seropositive for life. Therefore,reported HSV‐2 prevalence reflects a lifetime HSV‐2 infection. There is no cure, but symptoms can becontrolled with drugs such as acyclovir, valcyclovir and famciclovir. Both asymptomatic andsymptomatic persons can transmit HSV‐2 to sexual partners.Scientific evidence indicates that HSV2‐infected individuals have an increased risk of acquiring HIVbecause HSV‐2 lesions can serve as a portal of entry for HIV. In addition, the presence of HSV‐2 in thegenital mucosa is associated with an increased concentration of host immune response cells, whichserve as targets for HIV entry and increased production of genital HIV. Individuals with HSV‐2 andHIV co‐infection have a greater risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners because co‐infectedindividuals can shed HIV from more severe HSV‐2 lesions for longer periods. Treatment of HSV‐2with antiviral drugs has not been shown to reduce risk of HIV transmission. 17Appendix B.12 provides sample sizes and 95% confidence intervals for estimates presented in thischapter. Throughout the chapter, the term significant indicates a chi‐square p‐value less than 0.05;marginally significant indicates a p‐value between 0.05 and 0.10, inclusive; and not significantindicates a p‐value greater than 0.10.17Celum C, Wald A, Hughes J, et al. Effect of aciclovir on HIV‐1 acquisition in herpes simplex virus 2 seropositivewomen and men who have sex with men: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Lancet 2008; 371:2109‐2119.<strong>KAIS</strong> <strong>2007</strong> 214

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