Herpes Simplex Virus type -2 infection and associated risk factors among weaver's community in Tamil Nadu State, India

work aimed to determine the presence of HSV-2 and its association to demographic and risk factors in the weavers population of Tamilnadu. 296 adults were surveyed in Kanchipuram, Erode and Tiruvannamalai districts of Tamil Nadu. Socio-demographic characteristics were obtained through interviews and 5 ml of blood was collected from individuals age 18 and over. Samples were tested for IgG anti HSV antibodies. The association between HSV-2 infection and different behavioural variables was analysed using chi-square analysis. The prevalence of HSV-2 in weavers population is 10.2%, 7.14% and 14.5% in Kanchipuram, Erode and Tiruvannamalai Districts respectively. Women had higher prevalence. Prevalence increased with age. Gender and history of surgery was associated with HSV-2 in Tiruvannamalai District (P value ≤ 5). The distribution of HSV-2 in the weaver's community is within the range of prevalence in general population in India though variable in all three districts.