Herpes Simplex Virus-2 infection amongst urban male population in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To describe the prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 [HSV-2] infection among males in six major cities of Pakistan. A cross sectional behavioural and biological survey of urban male population aged 16-45 years was conducted in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Quetta to measure the prevalence of five sexually transmitted infections and assess sexual behaviours. Respondents were selected through a multistage sampling technique. In each city 10 blocks demarcated by the Population Census Organization were selected based on probability proportional to socio-economic status. In each block 40 men were selected through systematic sampling with a random start. In total 2400 men were administered a behavioural questionnaire and 2396 provided biological specimens for laboratory testing. This paper discusses the overall and city wise prevalence of HSV-2 infection. The overall prevalence of HSV-2 infection in the six cities was 3.4 percent [95% Cl 2.8-4.3]. City wise the highest prevalence was reported in Karachi 6 percent [95% Cl 4.1-8.8], followed by Lahore and Quetta at 4.3 percent [95% Cl 2.7-6.7], and Faisalabad at 2.5 percent [95% Cl 1.4-4.5]. The lowest prevalence was in Rawalpindi at 1.8 percent [95% Cl 0.9-3.6]. Empirical evidence from this study suggests that there is city wise variation in the prevalence of HSV-2 infection across the major cities in Pakistan. Based on possible link between HSV-2 and HIV, future HIV control strategies must also focus on the better management of HSV-2 infections in Pakistan