Prevalence of Genital Herpes: Insights from Outpatient Clinic Patients

Genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus infection type 2 (HSV-2) is one of the most common STDs that causes a substantial illness burden globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence rate of HSV-2 in patients who presented at a Sokoto speciality hospital with fever. We collected 184 blood samples from consenting patients and used an ELISA to analyze them for HSV-2 antibodies. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also obtained from the patients via questionnaires before sample collection. The study found HSV-2 seroprevalence to be 54.3% (100 out of 184 patients). All patients aged 43-47 years (100%, 6 out of 6) tested positive for HSV-2 antibodies, while only two patients over the age of 53 tested positive (p = 0.729). The prevalence was higher among males (67.7%, 42 out of 62) compared to females (47.5%, 55 out of 122) (p = 0.066), and higher in single individuals (63.9%, 46 out of 72) than in married individuals (48.2%, 54 out of 112) (p = 0.141). Regarding occupational status, the highest prevalence was observed among employed patients (68.2%, 30 out of 44), followed by self-employed individuals (55.1%, 54 out of 98). More than half of the patients were infected with HSV-2, indicating a need for further studies to identify the risk factors associated with acquiring the virus. Increasing awareness about transmission routes and the potential consequences of HSV-2 infection is also crucial.