Bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women attending a primary health care center in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Awoniyi AO¹, Komolafe OI^1*, Bifarin O^2,3 and Olaniran Olarinde⁴

¹Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Perinatology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

²Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

²Department of Biology, the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA

⁴Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: daveskomolafe@yahoo.com; Phone: +234-8034812803

Accepted 12 January, 2015

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most prevalent vaginal infections among women in Africa. In pregnancy, certain complications such as preterm delivery, premature rupture of the membranes, and so on could ensue from BV. This study investigated the prevalence of BV among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a primary health care center at Enuwa, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and suggested possible interventions to avoid BV-associated complications in pregnancy. One-hundred and fifty high vaginal samples were collected from pregnant women having vaginal discharge and within the age range 20-40 years. The samples were collected and processed following Amsel criteria and Nugent criteria. Statistical analysis was based on simple percentages among related variables. Fifty pregnant women (33.3%) were identified for BV with Amsel criteria while ninety pregnant women (60%) were identified by Nugent criteria. Bacterial vaginosis was more prevalent among pregnant women in first trimester (36.7%), primigravidae (33.3%), and age group 20 to 25 years (38.9%). Consequently, high rate of BV among pregnant women attending PHC clinics demands adequate attention to prevent BV-associated complications in pregnancy and also reduce referrals that may ensue from such complications. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in various PHCs should be screened routinely for BV to avoid infection sequelae. Adequate laboratory facilities should be provided and laboratory personnel should be trained in the use of Nugent criteria for effective diagnosis of BV since the method is convenient and reliable. This will aid prompt and adequate diagnosis of BV in pregnancy. Effort should be made to discourage promiscuity among sexually-active age group and self-diagnosis/medication among pregnant women.

Keywords: Bacteriavaginosis, Primary Health Care, Gardnerella vaginalis, Pregnant women, Antenatal clinics, Prevalence