Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in Females Presenting in Preterm: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the frequency of bacterial vaginosis in females presenting in preterm labor. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, PAEC General Hospital, Islamabad from 21st June 2021 to 21st Dec 2021, involved 100 participants of 18 to 40 years of age. Demographics like age, gestational age, parity, BMI, previous history of sexually transmitted infection, were noted. Patients were admitted in the obstetrics ward. One vaginal swab was utilized for the pH of vaginal discharge, the KOH test (whiff test), and the wet mount for clue cell detection. Gram staining was performed using the second vaginal swab. Without any delay, these two vaginal swabs were taken and forwarded to the microbiology lab. Findings will be recorded and Amsel's criteria were noted. If three out of four criteria were positive, then bacterial vaginosis was labeled. Results: Age distribution shows that the majority (58%) were between 20-30 years. Gestational age distribution of 100 patients with preterm labor showed that 58% of participants were between 28-32 weeks pregnant, while 42% were in the >32-36 week range. Regarding history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), 23% reported having a history, whereas 77% did not. Lastly, 33% of participants tested positive for bacterial vaginosis, while 67% tested negative. Age, BMI, gestational age were not statistically correlated with bacterial vaginosis while history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) was significantly associated with BV (p = 0.002). Conclusion: From our study we conclude that bacterial vaginosis is present in significant no of patients with preterm labor and has been found to be significantly associated with previous history of STDs and parity.