Abstract

Background: Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. In Australia, a population-based survey revealed that 16% of women and 8% of men over 25 had antibodies to HSV-2. The majority of people infected with HSV-2 are asymptomatic. With increasing availability of web-based technology for use as an information and education tool, we established a web-based survey to determine risk for genital herpes and encourage people who maybe at risk to attend a health care professional for HSV testing.

Methods: A web-based genital herpes risk assessment quiz was established on the AHMF web page. The quiz was based on epidemiological data derived from a national population-based survey and other epidemiological studies and consisted of 16 questions, each with a numerical weighting. Factors were weighted according to age, country of origin, gender, sexual history, condom use, symptoms suggestive of herpes and whether the individual was of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) origin. Scores were added up and individuals allocated a risk score of low, medium or high.

Results: By the 24^th May 2007, 2639 questionnaires had been completed, 52% were male and 48% female and 87% from Australia. 18% were classified as low risk for genital herpes, 46% as medium risk and 36% as high risk. Women had a higher mean risk score than men (p < 0.001) and were less likely to report condom use than men (p < 0.001), however, men were more likely than women to have had sex with someone they knew had herpes (p = 0.018). ATSI participants had a higher mean risk score than non-ATSI participants. Detailed analyses of risk scores and comparisons between groups will be presented.

Conclusions: On-line risk surveys are a useful way for individuals to determine their risk of genital herpes. Similar tools should be developed for other STIs.