Publication:

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in females in the reproductive age group in Kadur, Karnataka, India

Background Bacterial vaginosis, well known as the nonspecific vaginitis is caused by the normal resident flora of the vagina, predominantly by the peroxides producing lactobacillus species, when there is a disparity in their proportion and replaced by Gardinerella vaginalis, Mycoplasm hominis, Mobilunceus species, Bacteroids species, Prevotela species, Fusobacterium species and Porphyromonus species, Peptostreptococcus species.

Methods A cross section study was performed to study the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the reproductive age group women and the associated risk factors. The diagnosis of the vaginosis was made from the smear and Amsle’s clinical criteria.

Results Out of 250 patients 112 (44.8%) were diagnosed to have BV, 20-29-year age group had the largest percentage of infection 69 (61.6%). IUCD users 36 (32.14%) are found to be suffering from BV. Vaginal candidiasis, trichomonas vaginalis and atypical cell of unknown significant was seen in 32 (28.5%), 9 (8.03%) and 17 (15.17%) women respectively.

Conclusions A routine high vaginal swab for smear and culture must be performed for every woman presenting with chronic white discharge and itching, to prevent misuse usage of antibiotic. Further studies are needed to study the associated risk factors for BV.