Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bacterial Vaginosis Among Antenatal Attendees in A Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common genital tract infections among women of reproductive age. Though frequently asymptomatic it has been strongly associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, late miscarriage and postpartum endometritis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and its risk factors among pregnant women obtaining antenatal care at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of two hundred and sixty-one pregnant women, with or without symptoms suggestive of bacterial vaginosis. Information on socio-demographic, obstetric and gynaecological risk factors were obtained from consenting participants.  A swab sample was obtained from the posterior fornix of the vagina of each client and immediately smeared on a labelled slide and analysed and bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed using the Nugent scoring system. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 15.2%. Those who had vaginal discharge had a slightly higher prevalence of 17.1% while those without vaginal discharge had a prevalence of 14.4%. The non-utilization of hormonal contraceptives prior to pregnancy, non-use of condoms and increase in lifetime sexual partners were associated with a non-statistically significant increase in the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis. However, there was a statistically significant association (P= 0.017) between occupation of groups of participants and occurrence of bacterial vaginosis with traders being the least likely to develop it. CONCLUSION: Although bacterial vaginosis occurs more in women with vaginal discharge, its prevalence is also comparatively high in those without vaginal discharge. It might therefore be needful to incorporate routine screening for bacterial vaginosis for all pregnant women and treatment of those who are positive as part of our obstetric services in the antenatal clinic in order to prevent the sequelae of the infection.