Articles: Health and Wellness
Identifying Potential Risk Factors To Explain The Presence Of Bacterial Vaginosis And Intermediate Vaginal Flora Among Wyoming Women
Jennifer Chase, MPH
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection that has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm birth, as well as with an increased risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. This study was designed to identify potential risk factors associated with the presence of BV and intermediate vaginal flora in Wyoming women and to identify differences and similarities between the risk factors for BV and intermediate vaginal flora.
Subjects for the current study were a subset of women from the Wyoming Women's Reproductive Health Study who agreed to participate in BV testing. A total of 734 women provided self-obtained vaginal swabs and completed a comprehensive written survey providing information on potential demographic, sexual and medical risk factors. Using logistic regression methods, two models were built to identify and compare potential risk factors associated with BV and intermediate flora.
Prevalence of BV and intermediate vaginal flora in the sample population was 31.74% and 18.94%, respectively. BV was significantly associated with attending public clinics, less than 13 years of education, more than two years since last dental visit, more than two years since last Pap smear, ever being pregnant, more than seven lifetime sexual partners, frequency of condom use and being a woman who has sex with women. In contrast, risk factors for intermediate flora were low socioeconomic status, unwanted sex in a past relationship, more than two sexual partners in the past year, use of prescription hormones, frequency of condom use and being a woman who has sex with women.
The results of this study suggest that routine medical care, such as Pap smears and dental visits, and screenings for BV at annual visits may be useful in the prevention and diagnosis of BV. Potential risk factors identified in this study may assist in identifying women at higher risk for BV and intermediate vaginal flora. The comparison of risk factors for BV and intermediate vaginal flora do not support the common practice of combining these outcomes. These results will be used by the Wyoming Department of Health to assist in future research, provide information for targeted interventions and improve preconception health for Wyoming women.
Jennifer Lee Chase, MPH
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Spring 2006