STUDY OF CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis is an infection in the vaginal region caused due to shift in microflora. Untreated vaginosis can often lead to severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, salpingitis, endometritis, infertility, ectopic pregnancy and preterm delivery This study therefore, aimed to determine clinico-epidemiology and management practices of Bacterial vaginosis. METHODS AND METHODOLOGY: For 117 women attending OP of OBGY, samples were collected and subjected for pH test, whiff’s test. Smear was prepared and subjected for gram’s staining for clue cell determination and nugent scoring. They were treated according to the guidelines and counselled for personal hygiene. The patients are asked for follow up after 4 weeks to evaluate therapeutic outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 117 women tested for BV, 24 were positive. It shows the prevalence of 20.5%. Amongst them 21% were found to be asymptomatic. Prevalence of BV in non-pregnant women was 25.4% and none of the pregnant women were tested positive. Prevalence rate was high (28%) between the age group of 30-39 years. Vaginal discharge is common in both positive and negative patients. Clue cells test and gram staining was found to be more appropriate for diagnosis of BV. Treatment with metronidazole and clindamycin have shown positive outcome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Bacterial vaginosis was found to be low in our study. BV was found to be prevalent even in asymptomatic. Since method of identification was simple, cost effective and less time consuming all patients with vaginal discharge can be screened for early identification of disease and prevention of its complications.