PREVALENCE OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPES 1 AND 2 AND ASSOCIATED SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES IN PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING KING FAHD HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY

OBJECTIVES: The risk factors associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV) seropositivity in pregnant women in Saudi Arabia are not known. This study was aimed at identifying the sociodemographic variables associated with seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in pregnant women in a Saudi hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study that included all pregnant mothers who delivered at King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU) over a period of two years (November 2002 to October 2004). Anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies were determined using type-specific ELISA. Each subject completed a structured questionnaire. Relevant sociodemographic variables were analyzed. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of HSV-1 IgG antibodies (93.2%) was found in those mothers who were not educated (illiterate or read and write only) in comparison with pregnant women with formal school education (p = 0.021). This was confirmed by using multiple regression analysis (p = 0.027). The prevalence of HSV-2 IgG was higher among civil servants and teachers (40.0 % and 14.7 % respectively) than in unskilled labourers, professionals, or housewives (p = 0.0001). Using multiple regression analysis, the prevalence of HSV-2 IgG was found to increase in older mothers (p = 0.037). No statistically significant association was found between HSV seroprevalence and other socio demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the sociodemographic factors associated with HSV infection will help in understanding the epidemiology of HSV infection in Saudi women and may help in designing preventive measures.