Prevalence and epidemiological correlates of bacterial vaginosis among nonpregnant females at a tertiary care center in Assam, India

Abstract

Purpose: Bacterial vaginosis is the most common type of vaginal infection among women of reproductive age and accounted for at least one-third of all vulvovaginal infections. The main aim of this prospective study was to determine the risk factors that may be associated with the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis among the reproductive age group females in Assam. Materials and Methods: A total of two hundred married, nonpregnant females in the reproductive age group who complained of one or more symptoms suggesting lower genital tract infection were enrolled in this study. Detailed history of the patients was taken. Three high vaginal swabs were obtained after informed consent of the patients. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed on the basis of Amsel's clinical criteria and Nugent's Gram stain scoring method. Data was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Our study found prevalence of bacterial vaginosis to be 51.5% (103/200) by Amsel's criteria and 49% (98/200) by Nugent's criteria respectively. Significant association was found between bacterial vaginosis and age, socioeconomic status, parity and contraceptives. However, no significant association was found between duration of marriage and stage of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion: A relatively higher prevalence rate of bacterial vaginosis was found in the population under study, which may be attributed to factors like low socioeconomic status and unhygienic practices. Barrier contraception was found to be an effective method for prevention of transmission of bacterial vaginosis. However, more studies may be needed to confirm and evaluate the causes of these associations, so that a preventive strategy can be planned.