Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 May 10;19(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2312-9.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common reproductive tract disorder in women of child bearing age, accounting for one third of vaginal infections. It is characterized by an increase in vaginal pH, decreased Lactobacilli, and overgrowth of facultative and anaerobic bacteria. Studies have consistently shown BV to be a risk factor for adverse obstetric and gynecological outcomes. BV is believed to play a critical role in the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Its aetiology and risk factors are poorly understood. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for BV among pregnant women in Kumba Health District (KHD) Cameroon to generate findings that could guide the design of interventions for prevention of infection and associated poor pregnancy outcomes.
A structured questionnaire was administered to 309 women seeking antenatal care (ANC) in three health facilities in KHD between May to July 2016, to capture data on demographic, gynecological and obstetric characteristics, and hygiene behavior. High vaginal swabs (HVS) collected from these women were gram stained, examined under a microscope and BV evaluated by Nugent scoring. Chi square (χ) test was used to determine the relationship between BV and factors investigated. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
The prevalence of BV was 26.2%. Nine point 1 % of participants had a mixed infection with Candida. BV was higher (29.5%) in participants from the rural area (χ = 8.609. P = 0.014), those who did not use antibiotics (31.9%) prior to the study (χ = 12.893, P = 0.002) and women with no history of a genital tract infection (χ = 18.154, P = 0.001). There was a significant difference in prevalence with respect to gestation age (χ = 13.959, P = 0.007) with the highest occurring in women in the second trimester (31.7%). Women who practiced douching (χ = 23.935, P = 0.000) and those who did not wash pants with disinfectant (χ = 7.253, P = 0.027) had a high prevalence.
BV could be a health concern among pregnant women in study area. BV prevalence was affected by some hygiene behaviors, socio-demographic and clinical factors. Screening and treatment of positive cases during antenatal visits to prevent adverse outcomes, as well as education of women on vaginal hygiene is highly recommended.
细菌性阴道病（BV）是育龄妇女常见的生殖系统疾病，占阴道感染的三分之一。其特征是阴道 pH 值升高、乳酸杆菌减少、兼性和厌氧菌过度生长。研究一致表明，BV 是不良产科和妇科结局的危险因素。BV 被认为在性传播感染的传播中起关键作用。其病因和危险因素尚不清楚。本研究旨在确定喀麦隆孔巴卫生区（KHD）孕妇中 BV 的流行率和危险因素，为预防感染和相关不良妊娠结局的干预措施提供依据。
2016 年 5 月至 7 月期间，采用结构问卷对 KHD 三家医疗机构的 309 名接受产前护理（ANC）的孕妇进行调查，以获取人口统计学、妇科和产科特征以及卫生行为数据。从这些女性中采集高阴道拭子（HVS），革兰氏染色，在显微镜下检查，并通过 Nugent 评分评估 BV。卡方（χ）检验用于确定 BV 与调查因素之间的关系。统计学意义设为 p < 0.05。
BV 的流行率为 26.2%。9.1%的参与者存在念珠菌混合感染。来自农村地区的参与者（χ=8.609，P=0.014）、研究前未使用抗生素（χ=12.893，P=0.002）和无生殖道感染史的参与者（χ=18.154，P=0.001）BV 发生率较高。妊娠年龄（χ=13.959，P=0.007）也存在显著差异，其中孕中期发生率最高（31.7%）。有冲洗习惯的女性（χ=23.935，P=0.000）和不使用消毒剂清洗裤子的女性（χ=7.253，P=0.027）的 BV 发生率较高。
BV 可能是研究地区孕妇的健康问题。BV 的流行率受到一些卫生行为、社会人口学和临床因素的影响。建议在产前检查中筛查和治疗阳性病例，以预防不良结局，并对女性进行阴道卫生教育。
