Knowledge, Attitudes, and Testing Preferences for Herpes Simplex Virus Infections Among Undergraduate Students at a Large University in Los Angeles, California

Objective: Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease among young adults in the United States. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to evaluate herpes simplex virus knowledge among university students.

Participants: 612 full-time undergraduate students.

Methods: We gathered data on demographics, sexual activity, knowledge about the herpes simplex virus, attitudes toward it, and preferences for testing and treatment.

Results: Of 612 full-time undergraduate students, 71.4% (437/612) reported being sexually active. Of them, 54.2% (237/437) reported ever being tested for a sexually transmitted infection. On a standardized knowledge assessment of genital herpes, 22.7% (139/612) of participants scored ≥80% correct. Over half of participants, 57.2% (350/612), reported that they could not cope with a genital herpes outbreak. Being sexually active and tested for sexually transmitted infections was associated with higher scores on the genital herpes knowledge assessment.

Conclusion: University students have low knowledge regarding genital herpes. Genital herpes education is needed to improve sexual health and wellness.