BACKGROUND: The rates and determinants of acceptance of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) testing have not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with acceptance of HSV-2 antibody testing in individuals with no history of genital herpes. STUDY: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study followed by the offer of free HSV-2 serologic testing at an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, 2 general adult medical clinics, an urban university campus, and an urban adolescent medicine clinic. A total of 1199 individuals aged 14 to 30 years completed the survey and were offered testing. RESULTS: A total of 68.4% accepted HSV-2 testing. Factors independently associated with acceptance were female sex, older age, having an STD history, having 1 or more sexual partners in the last 6 months, perceived vulnerability to HSV-2 infection, and perceived benefits of HSV-2 testing. Fear of needles predicted rejection of testing, as did attending a general medical clinic versus an STD clinic and nonwhite race. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial interest in HSV-2 antibody testing across a variety of settings. Those at greatest behavioral and historic risk for HSV-2 infection, women, and persons whose health beliefs are consistent with testing are more likely to accept serologic testing when it is offered.
BACKGROUND: The rates and determinants of acceptance of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) testing have not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with acceptance of HSV-2 antibody testing in individuals with no history of genital herpes. STUDY: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study followed by the offer of free HSV-2 serologic testing at an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, 2 general adult medical clinics, an urban university campus, and an urban adolescent medicine clinic. A total of 1199 individuals aged 14 to 30 years completed the survey and were offered testing. RESULTS: A total of 68.4% accepted HSV-2 testing. Factors independently associated with acceptance were female sex, older age, having an STD history, having 1 or more sexual partners in the last 6 months, perceived vulnerability to HSV-2 infection, and perceived benefits of HSV-2 testing. Fear of needles predicted rejection of testing, as did attending a general medical clinic versus an STD clinic and nonwhite race. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial interest in HSV-2 antibody testing across a variety of settings. Those at greatest behavioral and historic risk for HSV-2 infection, women, and persons whose health beliefs are consistent with testing are more likely to accept serologic testing when it is offered.
Authors: Alissa Davis; Alexis Roth; Juanita Ebert Brand; Gregory D Zimet; Barbara Van Der Pol Journal: Int J STD AIDS Date: 2015-03-18 Impact factor: 1.359
Authors: S L Rosenthal; G D Zimet; J S Leichliter; L R Stanberry; K H Fife; W Tu; D I Bernstein Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2006-04 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Alexis M Roth; Barbara Van Der Pol; J Dennis Fortenberry; Brian Dodge; Michael Reece; David Certo; Gregory D Zimet Journal: J Health Commun Date: 2014-12-12
Authors: Monica L Kasting; Anthony D Cox; Dena Cox; Kenneth H Fife; Barry P Katz; Gregory D Zimet Journal: BMC Med Date: 2014-11-06 Impact factor: 8.775