Seroprevalence and Factors Associated with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis among Women Attending AIDS Care Unit at the Bonassama District Hospital

Background: Infections with Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2) and Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of genital ulcer disease and cervicitis worldwide. There is little information on the prevalence of these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and behavior factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis and HSV-2 seropositvity among women attending AIDS care unit in the district hospital in Douala.
Methodology: One hundred and fifty seven consenting women (80 HIV-1 positive and 77 HIV-1 negative) were invited to participate in this study. A structured questionnaire was used for each woman to obtain informations about socio-demographic characteristics and sexual risk behavior. Peripheral venous blood sample were collected, labeled and sent to the laboratory, where the presence of IgG antibody against HSV-2 and Chlamydia trachomatis was detected, using ELISA test. Data management was carried out using the SPSS 16.0 statistical software.
Results: The mean age of women was 37.22±9.13 years (range, 20 to 74 years). Of the 157 women tested, 122 (77.7%) were HSV-2 positive and 60 (38.2%) were positive for chlamydial infection. The prevalence of HSV-2 and chlamydial infections in HIV positive patients were 73.7% and 43.7% respectively versus 81.8% and 32.5% in HIV negative individuals. Women with multiple infections were those belonging to the group aged 30-39 years old, single and having had more than three sexual partners during the six months preceding the study.
Conclusion: HIV status appears tobe a factor in the acquisition of chlamydial infection in our population. These results suggest the need for extension and expansion of the current study in Cameroon.