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

79.1% of all HIV-discordant couples, one or both partners were infected with HSV-2: 29.3% wereHSV-2 discordant and 49.8% were concordant HSV2-infected.12.6 HSV-2 prevalence and perceived risk of HIV, STI symptoms, STItreatment-seeking behaviour, and condom useWorldwide, the vast majority of those infected with HSV‐2 do not know they are infected andtherefore may not be aware of their increased vulnerability to HIV. In the 2007 KAIS, approximatelytwo‐thirds (63.8%) of adults infected with HSV‐2 believed they had little or no risk for HIV infection.Participants who self‐reported that they were HIV positive were not included in this sample.Of all 2007 KAIS participants, 90.5% had heard of STIs other than HIV. Among those aware of STIswho had ever had sex, 96.7% reported having no STI and no STI symptoms (e.g. genital discharge, soreor ulcer) in the year prior to the survey. The percent of HSV‐2‐infected adults who reported STIsymptoms in the year before the survey was not significantly different from the percent of HSV‐2‐uninfected adults who reported STI symptoms (4.6% and 3.1%, respectively).Figure 12.6a Treatment-seeking behaviour among women and men aged 15-64years reporting an STI or symptoms of STI by HSV-2 status, Kenya 2007.9084.38075.67070.1Percent seeking treatment for STI (%)6050403043.950.147.5Figure 12.6a STitreatment-seekingbehaviour varied bysex but was notsignificantly differentby HSV-2 status.WomenMen20100HSV-2-infected HSV-2-uninfected TotalHSV-2 statusAmong the 3.3% of 2007 KAIS participants who self‐reported having had an STI or symptoms of STI(regardless of HSV‐2 infection status), 59.3% sought advice or treatment. A significantly higherproportion of women than men sought advice or treatment for their STI (75.6% vs. 47.5%,respectively). STI treatment‐seeking behaviour was not significantly different between those infectedand uninfected with HSV‐2 (57.4% and 61.2%, respectively).KAIS 2007 224