Magnitude of Bacterial Vaginosis in Non-Pregnant Outpatient Women Presenting Vaginal Discharge in Police Service Hospital Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Background and Objective: Bacterial vaginosis is the lower genital tract problem of females having profuse, whitish grey offensive  smelling vaginal discharge that increases the risk for the development of various diseases. Preventive strategies are beneficial in  targeting the risk factors, but unfortunately, no active control program and strategies have been focused on in research until now. Hence,  the present study was aimed to study the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in non-pregnant women presenting with vaginal  discharge.

Methods: The study was an institution-based cross-sectional study conducted in the Gynecology Unit of the Outpatient Department for  24 months from January 2018 to December 2020. The sample size was 340 nonpregnant women according to the formula designed for  Bacterial Vaginosis studies after verbal informed consent. Pre-designed questions and swabs from vaginal discharge were obtained from  participants. Clinical diagnostic tests known as Amsel’s criteria were used for the analysis of a sample. Data was analyzed by using SPSS  software, and the chi-square test was used to study the relationship. P<0.05 were considered significant. 

Results: A total of 167 patients’  having ages ranged to (17-to 52 years) were suffering from bacterial vaginosis make prevalence of 49%. Bacterial vaginosis was highest in  patients having an age group range of (13-52 years) making 67(55.5%), followed by lowest in the aged group of range (17-21) i.e.13 out  of 78 (16.6%). In parity, 85 (25%) had parity ranging from 1-2, while 248 (73%) had parity of more than two. It was found that the  female having a history of miscarriage and bacterial vaginosis was 102 (54.5%), while the female having no history of miscarriage was  65(42.2%). Intrauterine contraceptives used were 71(21%), while 269 (79%) were non-users. Out of 71 users, 40 (57.1%) had bacterial  vaginosis, while among the non-users, 126 (46.8%). PH ranges (6-7) were recorded in 49% (167) having bacterial vaginosis 51 (30.6%).  Women who had PH (8-9) were 49% (167) out of these 116 (69.4%). Nonusers of condoms suffering from bacterial vaginosis were 122  (48.6%), while users 41 (48%). Among pruritus patient 102 (61.2%) had bacterial vaginosis. The grey color of discharge was found in 24 (7%). White-colored discharge was found in 173 (51%), and yellow discharge was found in 105(31%) of the cases. 

Conclusion: The  prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was relatively high in patients with having age range of 13-52 years. Culturing of samples is needed to  find out the microbiological flora variation in vaginal discharge.