TY - JOUR
T1 - Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection as a biomarker for sexual debut among young people in sub-Saharan Africa
T2 - a literature review
AU - Bastien, S
AU - Mason-Jones, A J
AU - De Koker, P
AU - Mmbaga, E J
AU - Ross, D A
AU - Mathews, C
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Biological markers are needed in order to provide objective measures to validate self-reported sexual behaviour and interpret prevention trial data. In this review, we evaluated herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2), one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in sub-Saharan Africa as a biological marker of sexual debut. Based on our findings, we do not recommend using HSV-2 as a biomarker for sexual debut due to its low transmission probabilities and the fact that HSV-2 prevalence is not 100% among potential sexual partners. We recommend that the validation of alternative biological measures should be prioritized, and included in future studies and trials of interventions to reduce sexual health risk.
AB - Biological markers are needed in order to provide objective measures to validate self-reported sexual behaviour and interpret prevention trial data. In this review, we evaluated herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2), one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in sub-Saharan Africa as a biological marker of sexual debut. Based on our findings, we do not recommend using HSV-2 as a biomarker for sexual debut due to its low transmission probabilities and the fact that HSV-2 prevalence is not 100% among potential sexual partners. We recommend that the validation of alternative biological measures should be prioritized, and included in future studies and trials of interventions to reduce sexual health risk.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84869442873&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1258/ijsa.2012.011433
DO - 10.1258/ijsa.2012.011433
M3 - Article
C2 - 23155093
SN - 1758-1052
VL - 23
SP - 761
EP - 766
JO - International journal of STD & AIDS
JF - International journal of STD & AIDS
IS - 11
ER -