Institution: University of Port Harcourt

Project Affiliation: The Genomics of Schizophrenia in the South African Xhosa People

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type2 (HSV-2) is a common human pathogen that can cause primary and recurrent infection of the mucous membrane. Genital infection with HSV-2 facilitates the acquisition of HIV. Infection with HSV-2 is a public health problem as a leading cause of genital ulcerative disease. This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HSV-2. This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the antenatal unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers state. A total of 168 consenting pregnant women were used for the research. The study involved collecting socio-demographic data and laboratory determination of HSV-2 immunoglobulin (lgG). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Chi square analysis was used to determine the correlation of the infection with socio-demographic factors. The seroprevalence for HSV-2 lgG specific antibody was 58.9% (99/168). Statistical association can be found between the prevalence of HSV-2 lgG antibodies and the age, marital status, type of family, religion, history of abortion, history of sexually transmitted diseases (p0.05). The prevalence of HSV-2 was high among women of childbearing age in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Effort should be made to increase the awareness of HSV-2 infection among women of childbearing age. HSV-2 should be included as a routine test.

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