Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis and Associated Risk Factors Among Non-pregnant Women in Ilara Community of Ogun State, Nigeria
Bacterial vaginosis is common among non-pregnant women. Early detection can help prevent complications in the future. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and associated risk factors among non-pregnant women within reproductive age in Ilara community of Ogun State using Nugent's criteria and culture method. A total of 100 high vaginal swabs (HVS) were collected from consenting non-pregnant, non-menstruating female participants, within reproductive age (18-45 years), without history of antibiotic use in the preceding two weeks of the study living in Ilara community of Ogun state, Nigeria. The HVS were analyzed based on Nugent's criteria and culture method. The bacterial isolates were characterized using Gram reaction, motility, and standard biochemical tests. Using Nugent score of 7-10 and culture method, a prevalence of 65% and 85%, respectively, was reported among the 100 participants examined in the community. The difference between the two methods was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The prevalence of BV in Ilara community was found to be associated with occupation and religion. It was found to be more common among Students and Christians than among Traders and Traditional worshippers, respectively. 60% of the women were symptomatic, 25% were asymptomatic, while 15% were normal. The prevalence of BV in this study was influenced by many risk factors including: history of BV, history of STD, frequent vaginal douching with soap, antiseptics, deodorants and herbal concoction, sexual activities and having multiple sex partners among several others. Different array of endogenous and exogenous bacterial pathogens including Gardnerella vaginalis (32.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Enterococcus feacalis (13.3%), Staphylococcus epidemidis (9.7%), Proteus mirabilis (4.4%) and Escherichia coli (4.4%) were isolated from the BV positive women. This study further confirms that bacterial vaginosis is common among rural dwellers.
Bacterial Vaginosis, Nugent's Score, Culture Method, Risk Factors
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