TITLE:
High Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis Due to Gardnerella Species and Intra Genital Hygiene Impact Practices among Rural and Urban Women in Yaoundé, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Mansour Mohamadou, Adamou Velhima Elie, Marie Chantal Ngonde Essome, Clarisse Engowei Mbah, Valerie Emvoutou, Lilian Akwah, Milaine Toukap, Aicha Ngoutane, Franck Enama, Djoulde Ibrahima, Roger Ahouga
KEYWORDS:
Women, Prevalence, Bacterial Vaginosis, Intra-Genital Hygiene, Yaoundé
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.11 No.11,
November
24,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Bacterial vaginosis represents a public health problem due to its high frequency in our various health facilities. Vaginal douching used by women as a means to achieve hygienic measures could be potentially dangerous. The objective of the study is to aim at bringing forth epidemiological data on intra-genital hygiene practices, determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and the association between these vaginal practices and this genital infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on March 2022 on patients received in Human Biology Laboratory of Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, in Yaoundé. Data were collected by questionnaire after an oral and written consent obtained from the patients. Vaginal swabs were collected and inoculated on to Blood Agar, Chocolate with polyvitex. Identification was done using morphologically appearance, Gram staining and biochemicals tests. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 software. Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled during the study. The most represented age group of participants was 25 to 35 years with 62.5%. The overall prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 29.16%. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis varied according to the number of lifetime male sexual partners, women who reported having only one sexual partner in their life had a prevalence rate of 23.32%. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was higher in patients living in urban areas (23.33%). No significant correlation was observed between bacterial vaginosis and regularly vaginal douching and practice of intimate vaginal cleansing (p = 0.980). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that sexual behaviour traits may have an impact on the relatively high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis. This suggests that comprehensive health education programmes may be necessary to lower the incidence of bacterial vaginosis, which indicate the need for comprehensive and programmed health education programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis.