Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 Infection among Pregnant Women in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria.  

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

² Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author

Onoriode Okpako Diamreyan

Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt

Rivers State

Nigeria

Tel:+234 08032568294

Emai:diamreyanonoriode@gmail.com

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 (p<0.05) while the level of education, occupation, parity and gestation period were not statistically significant with HSV-2 IgG seroposivity (p>0.05). 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.

Keywords: Prevalence, HSV-2, Pregnant, Women

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