Prevalence and Incidence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection among Male Zimbabwean Factory Workers

Stored sera from a cohort of 2397 male factory workers in Harare, Zimbabwe, were screened for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-specific antibodies, to estimate the prevalence and incidence of genital herpes infection and to assess the relation between HSV-2 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. The prevalence of HSV-2 at enrollment was 39.8%. Correlates of HSV-2 seropositivity were HIV seropositivity, marital status, history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), older age, and higher income. The incidence of HSV-2 seroconversion during follow-up was 6.2/100 person-years. Correlates of HSV-2 seroconversion were enrollment while HIV-positive or seroconversion during follow-up, reported genital ulcer, history of STD, and number of sex partners. No evidence was found that HSV-2 infection was more likely to precede HIV or vice versa. HSV-2 and HIV seropositivity are strong markers for high-risk sexual behavior. Improved interventions targeted to populations in which the incidence of either viral infection is high are needed.