Meta-analyses
We used the random-effects model to conduct the meta-analyses and to
pool the proportions of HSV-2 positive cases.22 We
used the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation by specifying the
command sm=“PFT” in the analysis.23 We presented
Cochran’s Q statistic to assess the effect size
heterogeneity.24 I2 was used to
measure the between-study heterogeneity. We also presented prediction
intervals, defined as the 95% confidence interval of the distribution
of true HSV-2 seroprevalence around the estimation.
The pool results were stratified by different characteristics, including
age groups, gender, year of data collection, and study sites. We mapped
the pooled seroprevalence in the unit of provinces in China to
demonstrate the geographic difference in the HSV-2 disease burden.