Bacterial Vaginosis among Infertile Women: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest vaginal infection. Evidence has shown a relationship between bacterial vaginosis and infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among infertile women attending the infertility clinic.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 20 May 2018 to 19 May 2019 in a tertiary care centre after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Patients who had used antibiotics, vaginal creams/ pessaries in the last two weeks, women with genitourinary malignancy, menstruating at the time of sample collection, women with vaginal agenesis/atresia, and history of sexual intercourse 24 hours before the test were excluded from the study. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.

Results: Among 240 patients, bacterial vaginosis was found in 98 (40.83%) (34.61-47.05, 95% Confidence Interval) patients. Symptomatic bacterial vaginosis positive cases were 42 (42.86%), whereas asymptomatic cases were 56 (57.14%). Clue cells were present in 68 (69.39%) and absent in 30 (30.61%) in bacterial vaginosis positive cases.

Conclusions: Bacterial vaginosis was more prevalent in the women presenting to the infertility clinic and higher prevalence was noted in women of low socio-economic status.