OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the feasibility of conducting serologic testing for the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) among university students and assessed the psychosocial impact of an HSV-2 diagnosis. METHODS: The authors recruited a convenience sample of 100 students (aged 18-39 years) without a history of genital herpes from 1 university between September 2004 and March 2006. Participants received HSV-2 antibody testing by Focus ELISA and Western Blot assays and completed a questionnaire that addressed psychological functioning. Twenty-eight participants completed the questionnaire again at a 3-month follow-up visit. RESULTS: The study revealed (1) low test-reliability in the student population, (2) that positive test results may cause a decline in psychological well-being, and (3) that substantial resources are required to support students with positive HSV-2 results. CONCLUSIONS: Test performance, psychological impact, and availability of resources for counseling students with positive diagnoses should be considered before implementing HSV testing programs.
OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the feasibility of conducting serologic testing for the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) among university students and assessed the psychosocial impact of an HSV-2 diagnosis. METHODS: The authors recruited a convenience sample of 100 students (aged 18-39 years) without a history of genital herpes from 1 university between September 2004 and March 2006. Participants received HSV-2 antibody testing by Focus ELISA and Western Blot assays and completed a questionnaire that addressed psychological functioning. Twenty-eight participants completed the questionnaire again at a 3-month follow-up visit. RESULTS: The study revealed (1) low test-reliability in the student population, (2) that positive test results may cause a decline in psychological well-being, and (3) that substantial resources are required to support students with positive HSV-2 results. CONCLUSIONS: Test performance, psychological impact, and availability of resources for counseling students with positive diagnoses should be considered before implementing HSV testing programs.
Authors: Hayley D Mark; Joy P Nanda; Jessica Roberts; Anne Rompalo; Johan H Melendez; Jonathan Zenilman Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Denise Dion Hallfors; Hyunsan Cho; Isabella I Mbai; Benson W Millimo; Carolyne Atieno; David Okumu; Winnie K Luseno; Shane Hartman; Carolyn T Halpern; Marcia M Hobbs Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2015-07-02 Impact factor: 3.519
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