THE PREVALENCE, PREDICTORS AND LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AMONG THE GYNAECOLOGICAL OUTPATIENTS PRESENTING AT THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE OWERRI
SUMMARY
Four hundred and thirty six patients attended the
gynaecological outpatient clinics of the Federal Medical
Centre Owerri, between the months of March and May
2005. One hundred and fifty of them were recruited into
this study, out of which fifty-seven of them were found to
have bacterial vaginosis. This gave the prevalence of the
disease among the study population to be 38%.
The disease was significantly higher among those less than
25 years (P = 0.0001), and those that initiated sexual intercourse
at younger age (P= 0.004). There was also significant increase in
the prevalence of the disease with increase in the total number of
lifetime sexual partners (P = 0.006). In addition there were
significant associations between bacterial vaginosis and the
patients’ occupations ( P = 0.032), history of induced abortion (P
= 0.007), co-infections with either Yeast (P = 0.046) or
Trichomonas vaginalis (P = 0.001).
There was no significant association between the
prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and the following
factors; marital status, level of education and previous
history of sexually transmitted infections and the patients’
presenting complaints.
The level of awareness of bacterial vaginosis
among the patients was very poor. It is suggested that
screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis among
women should be frequently carried out in the hospitals
especially among those within the reproductive age
groups.
It is suggested that efforts should be strengthened using
seminars and mass media to increase the awareness of bacterial
vaginosis among the populace so as to enhance sensible sexual
behaviour among them.