Bacterial Vaginosis and Correlates in Women of Reproductive Age in Thika, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge among women of childbearing age which is associated with STI/HIV and adverse birth outcomes. The Main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of BV among women of reproductive age in Thika. Methods: Between July 2010 and February 2011, 193 women of reproductive age (18 -49 years) were enrolled from family planning and ante-natal clinics in Thika District Hospital, Kenya. The study was descriptive cross sectional in which organisms were identified from vaginal specimens using culture, biochemical testing and Nugent score method. Statistical analyses included conventional descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis using regression. Results: Of one hundred and ninety three specimens, 9.3% were Mobiluncus isolates, 23.0% Bacteriodes species and 67.7% Gardnerella vaginalis. Among the study participants, 77.7% had non-classical BV with a score of 7 -8 while 22.3% classical BV with a score of 9 -10 indicating complete depletion of Lactobacillus species. Whiff test was positive for 89.1% (74) of the 83 patients with BV. Though, 32.5% of women with BV had a vaginal pH of more than 4.5, only 66.0% of women fulfilling the criteria of BV had a characteristic discharge. Conclusions: In this population, the prevalence of BV was relatively high when compared with other community settings. BV was associated with condom use and multiple sexual partners. Further research is needed to understand their role in BV and the socioeconomic context surrounding the condition in Kenya.

Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis and Its Association with Risk Factors among Nonpregnant Women: A Hospital Based Study

“…There is no specific color of vaginal discharges for the diagnosis of BV; experts varied in opinion but it is important to know that women with BV present abnormal vaginal discharges and the vaginal discharges differ in the consistency, Garba et al [ 21 ]. Abdominal pain and itching symptoms were found in 26.6% and 23.2%, respectively, which was consistent with the result reported by Nzomo et al [ 30 ] in Kenya. This study registered no significant relationship between abdominal pain, itching, and BV.…”

Assessment of Risk Factors and Medication Use for Infectious Vaginitis Among Females of Reproductive Age Visiting Maternity Hospital of Pokhara, Nepal

“…This may be due to effects of factors such as altered menstrual status, hormonal changes, sexual activity, contraceptive use and pregnancy in females of these age groups which may have contributed for higher risk of vaginal infection. Similar finding has been reported by Nzomo et al [10] in their study conducted in Kenya. Majority of the patients were from rural area and unemployed with low family incomes.…”

“…Laxmi et al, in their review on infectious vaginitis inform that bacterial vaginosis has been found to be more common among the women of reproductive age group [8]. A similar finding was obtained in a range of other studies [9,10]. In our study, itching/soreness of genital organ was most frequent complaint of females with vaginitis followed by discharge from genitals accompanying with unpleasant odor, burning micturition, discomfort during intercourse.…”

Etiological agents of Vulvovaginitis amongst women complaining of genital tract infection in Soran City, Kurdistan, Iraq

“…Several studies explained the factors that responsible for the low percentage of candidiasis infection in old women like the reduced effect of estrogen hormone, reaching menopause, less or no sexual activity, no contraceptive, and also have good vaginal immunity because they have low estrogen and corticoids (Nelson et al, 2013). BV was higher in age group 32-38 years and this present result agree with the finding of (Nzomo et al, 2013) followed by (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31) years. It is worthwhile to mention these age groups represent the peak of child bearing ages and also may attributed to high sexual activity.…”