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High Rates of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection in Homeless Women: Informing Public Health Strategies.
- Source :
-
Journal of Women's Health (15409996) . Aug2016, Vol. 25 Issue 8, p840-845. 6p. 3 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: Homeless and unstably housed women living in an urban setting are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, yet the seroprevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) specific to impoverished women are poorly understood. Materials and Methods: Between April and October 2010, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of sociodemographic, structural, and behavioral factors associated with prevalent HSV-2 infection (recent and historical infections) within a community-recruited cohort of homeless and unstably housed women. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify independent sociobehavioral correlates of HSV-2 infection. Results: Among 213 women (114 HIV positive and 99 HIV negative), the median age was 49, 48% were African American, and 63% had completed high school. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 88%, and only 17% of infected women were aware of their infection. In adjusted analysis, odds of HSV-2 infection were significantly higher for those reporting at-risk drinking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.59, 67.91), heterosexual orientation (AOR = 4.56; 95% CI = 1.81, 11.69), and for those who were HIV positive (AOR = 3.64; 95% CI = 1.43, 10.30). Odds of HSV-2 infection decreased as current income increased (AOR for each $500 monthly increase = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.78, 0.997). Conclusions: There is an extremely high seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection among homeless and unstably housed women, and most are unaware of their HSV-2 status. Screening all unstably housed women for HSV-2 infection, with additional counseling for sexual risk and alcohol use, may lead to the identification of more infections and be a first step in reducing additional disease transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SEXUALLY transmitted disease risk factors
*EPIDEMIOLOGY of sexually transmitted diseases
*CONFIDENCE intervals
*HERPESVIRUSES
*HOMELESS persons
*HOUSING
*PROBABILITY theory
*RESEARCH
*RESEARCH funding
*SUBSTANCE abuse
*WOMEN
*CROSS-sectional method
*SEROPREVALENCE
*DATA analysis software
*HEALTH & social status
*DESCRIPTIVE statistics
*ODDS ratio
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15409996
- Volume :
- 25
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Women's Health (15409996)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 117304818
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5579