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Abdul-Aziz M, Mahdy MAK, Abdul-Ghani R, Alhilali NA, Al-Mujahed LKA, Alabsi SA, Al-Shawish FAM, Alsarari NJM, Bamashmos W, Abdulwali SJH, Al Karawani M, Almikhlafy AA. Bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and trichomonal vaginitis among reproductive-aged women seeking primary healthcare in Sana'a city, Yemen. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:879. [PMID: 31640583 PMCID: PMC6805389 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4549-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Yemen, the underlying causes of infectious vaginitis have been neglected. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and trichomonal vaginitis (TV) among non-pregnant reproductive-aged women. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 347 non-pregnant reproductive-aged women seeking primary healthcare in Sana'a city, Yemen. Data about sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle-related behaviors, routine hygienic practices, menstrual care and history and type of contraceptive intake were collected using a structured questionnaire. Vaginal discharge samples were collected and examined for discharge characteristics and pH by a gynecologist. Then, samples were examined for BV, VVC and TV. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests. RESULTS Vaginal infections were prevalent among 37.6% of reproductive-aged women, where BV was the most prevalent (27.2%). VVC was significantly higher among symptomatic women and significantly associated with itching (P = 0.005). Using bivariate analysis, the age of < 25 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-3.10; P = 0.010) and using intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.09-2.89; P = 0.020) were significantly associated with BV, while history of miscarriage was significantly associated with a lower risk of BV (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.31-0.85, P = 0.009). However, polygyny was significantly associated with VVC (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.33-8.66; P = 0.007). Multivariable analysis confirmed that age of < 25 years and using IUCD were the independent predictors of BV, while history of miscarriage was an independent protective factor against BV. On the other hand, marriage to a polygamous husband was the independent predictor of VVC. CONCLUSIONS More than a third of non-pregnant reproductive-aged women seeking PHC in Sana'a have single or mixed infections with BV, VVC or TV. BV is the most frequent cause of vaginitis and is significantly associated with the age of < 25 years and using IUCDs, while VVC is significantly higher among women with polygamous husbands. Health education of polygamous husbands and their wives, regular monitoring of BV among IUCD users and screening women for vaginitis before treatment are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Abdul-Aziz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Mohammed A K Mahdy
- Tropical Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen. .,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.
| | - Rashad Abdul-Ghani
- Tropical Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Nuha A Alhilali
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Leena K A Al-Mujahed
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Salma A Alabsi
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Fatima A M Al-Shawish
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Noura J M Alsarari
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Wala Bamashmos
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Shahad J H Abdulwali
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Mahdi Al Karawani
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Abdullah A Almikhlafy
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
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