ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the global incidence and risk factors of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Methods Meta-analysis was performed to systematically and quantitatively review all the original research papers and reports that were published in 1990-2010 on the global incidence of HSV-2. Pooled incidence, pooled hazard ratios, publication bias, heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis for those studies were calculated or conducted using Stata 10.0. Results HSV-2incidence varied considerably across different countries, regions and/or populations, with a range from 1.0 to 23.1/100 person-years (PYs). Africa and United States were highly epidemic with HSV-2 while females and HIV-infected people were at higher risk of HSV-2 infection, whereas HSV-1 infection status was not significantly associated with acquisition of HSV-2 infection. Conclusion HSV-2incidence varied considerably among countries, regions and populations, which called for different and tailored control strategies. More research was also needed in China to examine the HSV-2 incidence and risk factors in different regions and populations.