Implementation of Routine Access to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Antibody Testing in a Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic

Abstract

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.

Trends in Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Among Non-Hispanic Blacks and Non-Hispanic Whites Aged 14 to 49 Years—United States, 1988 to 2010

“…21 Our study found that 85% of non-Hispanic black females and 95% of non-Hispanic black males with HSV-2 were unaware of their infection. 25 Black women in that study were least likely to request testing, although they experience the largest burden of HSV-2 disease in the United States. 22,23 There are several complex issues related to HSV-2 screening, including concerns about test performance in low-prevalence populations and whether knowledge of seropositivity results in behavior changes such as increased condom usage, compliance with daily suppressive therapy, and disclosure of HSV-2 infection to sexual partners.…”

Low acceptance of HSV-2 testing among high-risk women

“…A recent study demonstrated that adult women of colour had the highest prevalence of HSV-2 but were least likely to access testing. 6 Among young adults who were tested for HSV-2 antibodies, increasing age, non-white race and having had a STI were predictors of a positive test. 7 In the present study, we offered point of care HSV-2 antibody testing to recently arrested women at high behavioural risk for infection and evaluated characteristics associated with HSV-2 rapid antibody test uptake/refusal.…”

Herpes simplex virus type 2 serological testing at a community court: Predictors of test acceptance and seropositivity among female defendants

“…Proportionately, the rate of infection was three-fold the national prevalence rate (20.9%) and double the rates documented among other high-risk populations including women accepting optional HSV-2 testing in our local public health STI clinic (37.4%) which indicated this is indeed a population that warrants outreach efforts. 1,28 These results highlight how this non-traditional partnership with the justice system provided an opportunity to intervene with high-risk individuals. Problem-solving courts, such as the Indianapolis Community Court, have become more prominent over the past two decades and offer a promising vehicle for public health intervention.…”