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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Abstract
Objective: This study determined the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of bacterial
vaginosis (BV)
among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Materials and Methods: Vaginal swab samples and data on epidemiological risk factors were collected
from 400 consecutive pregnant women with complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge. The data was
analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Association between variables was compared by
using the Chi-square (2) and Fishers exact tests while P < 0.05 was considered significant at 95.0%
confidence level.
Result: The prevalence of BV among pregnant women with abnormal vaginal discharge was 17.3%.
Age 20-24 years, multigravidity, lack of western education and unemployment were associated with
increased prevalence of BV. Yellowish, watery vaginal discharge (P = 0.001) was associated with BV.
Dysuria, dyspareunia and lower abdominal tenderness were associated with BV (P = 0.001). Fifty three
(77%) of patients had BV during the second trimester compared to 6 (9%) who had it in the 1st
trimester of pregnancy (P = 0.012).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of BV in this study may necessitate adequate screening of pregnant
women with abnormal vaginal discharge in order to give appropriate treatment and avoid
complications associated with it.
Ethical clearance was obtained before the study The parity range was from 0 to 13, with a mean
was carried out and informed consent was parity of 2.77 2.45. The prevalence of BV was
obtained from the subjects before enlistment in to 49 (71%) in Para 1-4 and 4 (6%) among the
the study. grand multipara. Thirty seven (54%) of those
with primary level of education had BV while
The SPSS 16.0 statistical software (Polar engineering those with secondary and tertiary education
and consulting, 2007) was used to analyses the constituted 7 (10%) and 8 (11%) respectively.
results; association between organisms and studied Sixty five (94%) of women with BV were married
variables was compared using the Chi-square (2) compared with 2 (3%) who were single and
and Fishers exact tests while P < 0.05 was another 2 (3%) who were divorced.
Eighteen (26%) of those with BV were civil Table 3 showed the characteristics of
servants, 14 (20%) were petty traders and 37 abnormal vaginal discharge from the 400
(54%) were unemployed pregnant women. pregnant women studied. The prevalence of
BV was significantly more among those with
Table 2 showed the clinical features associated yellowish vaginal discharge 55 (80%) than in
with BV. Thirty four (17%) of the 200 women those with greenish 9 (13%) and whitish
with vulval itching had BV compared to 83% discharge 5 (7%). Significantly more women
without the condition (2 = 0.018, with BV compared to those without BV had
yellowish vaginal discharge (2 = 1.073, P =
P = 0.895). Dysuria (2 = 1.133, P = 0.000)
0.000). Watery vaginal discharge was
was significantly associated with BV with 59%
significantly more among those with BV than
of the 74 patients with dysuria having BV. those without the condition 52 (75%) versus
Thirty (73%) and 27 (67.5%) of those with 29 (9%) (2 = 1.568, P = 0.000) as shown in
dyspareunia and lower abdominal tenderness Table 3. Similarly, 52 (75%) of those with BV
had BV (2 = 78.620, P = 0.000). had malodorous vaginal discharge compared
to 73% without BV (2 = 0.148, P = 0.700).
Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics The prevalence of BV was highest 53 (77%)
of respondents (N=400) during the second trimester and least 6 (9%)
Characteristics Frequency of vaginal discharge during the 1st trimester. Only 10 (14%) had
Presence of BV Absence of BV BV in the last trimester of pregnancy as
(n=69) (%) (n=331) (%) depicted in Figure 1. This risk in the second
Age trimester was significant when compared
15-19 17 (25) 89 (26.8)
with those without the condition during the
20-24 32 (46.3) 151 (46)
same period (2 = 6.288, P = 0.012).
25-29 10 (14.4) 52 (15.7)
30-34 6 (9) 34(10)
Of the 69 patients who had BV diagnosed,
35-39 3 (4.3) 3 (0.9)
only 51 (73.9%) returned for follow-up and
40-44 1 (1) 2 (0.6)
were treated. The few patients (14) who
Parity
came for follow-up after treatment confirmed
0 16 (23) 77(23)
that abnormal vaginal discharge and
1-4 49 (71) 242 (73)
associated symptoms have ceased.
5 4 (6) 12 (4)
Educational status
No education 17 (25) 86(26)
Primary school 37 (54) 186 (56.1)
Secondary school 7 (10) 31 (9.4)
Tertiary institution 8 (11) 28 (8.5)
Marital status
Married 65 (94) 327 (99)
Single 2 (3) 4(1)
Divorced 2 (3) 0(0)
Employment status
Civil servant 18 (26) 89(27)
Petty trader 14 (20) 19 (6)
Unemployed 37 (54) 223 (67)
BV=Bacterial vaginosis
Figure 1: Distribution of bacterial vaginosis according to trimester
of pregnancy (N = 69)
Table 2: Clinical features and their relation to
bacterial vaginosis in the studied patients (N=400) Table 3: Characteristics of abnormal vaginal
Clinical Presence Absence Total 2 P value discharge in the studied subjects (N=400)
feature of BV of BV Characteristics Presence Absence Total 2 P value
Vulval itching 34 (17) 166 (83) 200 0.018 0.895 of BV (%) of BV (%)
Dysuria 44 (59) 30 (41) 74 1.133 0.000 A: Color
Dyspareunia 30 (73) 11 (27) 41 1.001 0.000 White 5 (7) 158 (48) 163 38.766 0.000
Lower 27 (67.5) 13 (32.5) 40 78.620 0.000 Yellow 55 (80) 59 (18) 114 1.073 0.000
abdominal Grey 9 (13) 114 (34) 123 12.277 0.000
tenderness B: Consistency
BV=Bacterial vaginosis Thick 13 (19) 216 (65) 229 50.263 0.000
Watery 52 (75) 29 (9) 81 1.568 0.000
Frothy 4 (6) 86 (26) 90 13.341 0.000
C: Malodor 52 (75) 242 (73) 294 0.148 0.700
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Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.
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