Journal article
Implementation of Routine Access to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Antibody Testing in a Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic
Sexually transmitted diseases, v 36(11), pp 724-728
01 Nov 2009
PMID: 19809384
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: Testing for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibody is not common in clinical practice. Client characteristics associated with HSV-2 rapid antibody test uptake and test positivity were analyzed in clients attending an urban sexually transmitted disease clinic.
Methods: This optional test was available for $30. The HerpeSelect Express assay was performed on serum. Demographic and behavioral characteristics were compared between clients who requested testing and those who did not and between those who were HSV-2 antibody positive and negative.
Results: In 4 months, 3498 individuals attended the clinic and 443 (12.7%) opted for HSV-2 testing. Clients who were black, younger, or female were less likely to request testing. Recent sexual behavior and self-reported sexual orientation were not associated with uptake of testing. Of the 442 clients with results available, 109 were positive for HSV-2 antibody (24.7%). Women were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to test positive; 42 of 111 (38.4%) versus only 67 of 331 (20.2%) men. A positive HSV-2 antibody test was also associated with increasing age and black race. There was an association with the number of partners in the last 30 days, but no association with the number of partners in the last year. Of the 109 clients who had a positive HSV-2 antibody test, 71 (64.5%) accepted a prescription for suppressive acyclovir therapy.
Conclusions: Uptake of testing was modest in this population, especially among the highest risk individuals, possibly due to the cost of the test. Improved education regarding HSV-2 and subsidized testing may be needed in the populations that have the highest prevalence in order to encourage testing.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Implementation of Routine Access to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Antibody Testing in a Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic
- Creators
- Kenneth H. Fife - Indiana University – Purdue University IndianapolisBarbara Van Der Pol - Indiana UniversityAlexis M. Roth - Indiana UniversityJuanita Brand - Marion Cty Hlth Dept, Indianapolis, IN USAJanet N. Arno - Indiana UniversityJyl Madlem - Marion Cty Hlth Dept, Indianapolis, IN USABeth E. Juliar - Indiana UniversityBarry P. Katz - Indiana UniversityJames A. Williams - Indiana UniversityGregory D. Zimet - Indiana UniversityJ. Dennis Fortenberry - Indiana University
- Publication Details
- Sexually transmitted diseases, v 36(11), pp 724-728
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 5
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000271173900011
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-70350752546
- Other Identifier
- 991021894434504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases