Screening for bacterial vaginosis before intrauterine device insertion at a family planning clinic in south-west Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study determined the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among clients before insertion of intrauterine device (IUD) and compared the incidence of complications between participants who were positive and negative for BV. Patients and Methods: This was an observational cohort study that was performed between May 2014 and September 2014. A total of 360 women were recruited and followed up for 1 month. High vaginal swabs were obtained from each participant pre-insertion of the IUD and 1 month post-insertion. BV was diagnosed using Nugent's scoring. Data were collected, collated and analysed using frequency distributions and Chi-square test as appropriate. The level of statistical significance was P< 0.05. Results: The prevalence of BV was 33.3%. The complication rate was 23.9% in which 30.5% complication rate was seen among participants positive for BV and 22.5% among participants negative for BV (P = 0.192). This was done with respect to four primary clinical outcomes. The incidence of BV one month after IUD insertion was 11.5%. Conclusion: The prevalence of BV was within the range reported in other populations. The complication rate appeared high; however, the differences in proportion between women positive and negative for BV were not statistically significant.

Keywords

• bacterial vaginosis
• complications
• intrauterine devices
• screening