Bacterial vaginosis: prevalence, risk profile and association with sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in the world. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify risk factors associated with bacterial vaginosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ouro Preto, Brazil, between February and December 2017. Three hundred and forty-one women aged 18 years or older, users of the Brazilian Unified Health System, participated in this study. Women who used oral or topical antibiotics in the four weeks prior to the sample collection and women who had undergone a total hysterectomy were excluded from the study. After signing the Informed Consent Form and filling out a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, behavioral and sexual data, the participants were directed to the collection room, where the nurse collected the samples for the preventive examination of the cervix and also two vaginal swabs. Vaginal swabs and cervical samples were analyzed for cytological abnormalities and BV using Gram staining and cytology. Pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). For the analysis of the data, statistical package STATA version 10.0 was used. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP). Results: During the study, 341 women were evaluated. The prevalence of BV using Gram staining (32.5% [CI95% 27.7=37.7%]) and cytology (27.7% [CI95% 23.0=32.8%]) was similar, however, the sensitivity of cytology was lower (77.8%). Risk factors associated with BV were smoking (IRR 1.5[CI95%: 1.1 = 2.1]), use of an intrauterine device (IRR 2.8 [CI95%: 1.2 = 6.5]), and past medical history of BV (IRR 1.5 [CI95%: 1.1 = 2.1]). Correlation between the presence of BV and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection (r=0.24) was observed. Conclusion: The prevalence of BV was affected by life habits and was prevalent in women with TV. Thus, behavioral and social prevention approaches to women with diverse risk profiles may help mitigate TV/BV prevalence and recurrence of BV.

Bacterial Vaginosis and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Harar City, Eastern Ethiopia

“…In this study, there were no statistically significant association between bacterial vaginosis and sociodemographic characteristics of participants such as age, marital status, residence, occupation and level of education (P>0.05). This is in line with studies conducted in Tanzania, 38 Brazil 37 and Turkey. 56 But, studies conducted in the USA, Poland, China, Indonesia and Nigeria 32 , 57–60 revealed an association between BV and different sociodemographic characteristics such as marital status, age, level of education and occupational status.…”

“…However, this study found a lower prevalence of bacterial vaginosis compared with a study done in Brazil, Ouro Preto 32.5% (95% CI: 27.7, 37.7), 37 Tanzania 28.5%, 38 Ghana 30.9%, 39 Zimbabwe 32.6%, 40 Nigeria 38% 41 and Sudan 49.8%. 2 The lower prevalence of BV in the current study might be attributed to the difference in sampling techniques, sample size difference and other sociodemographic characteristics of the participants.…”

What is the effect of vitamin D deficiency on Pap smear test results in the postmenopausal period?

“…the positive association between the infections and young age is due to more sexual activity of younger women increasing their susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. In several studies, socioeconomic status affecting Pap smear results was reported due to few health check-ups and poor hygiene (28)(29)(30). Studies found age and socioeconomic status to be critical factors in cervical cancer screening, affecting Pap smear test results.…”

Desempenho Do Exame Citopatológico No Diagnóstico De Vaginose Bacteriana

“…A vaginose bacteriana (VB) é a principal causa de vulvovaginite em mulheres em idade reprodutiva 1 , com prevalência variável em diferentes localidades de cerca de 32% no Brasil e de 40 a 60% na Etiópia. É resultado do desequilíbrio da microbiota vaginal, com redução da concentração de bactérias protetoras, como Lactobacillus, e aumento do pH e da concentração de bactérias patogênicas, como Gardnerella vaginallis e Mobiluncus spp [2][3][4] .…”