International Journal of Women's Health (Jan 2020)
Evaluation of Vulvovaginitis and Hygiene Habits of Women Attended in Primary Health Care Units of the Family
Abstract
Thais Chimati Felix,1 Lúcio Borges de Araújo,2 Denise Von Dolinger de Brito Röder,1,3 Reginaldo dos Santos Pedroso1,4 1Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Medical School, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; 2Faculty of Mathematics, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; 3Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; 4Technical Course in Clinical Analysis, Health Technical School, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, BrazilCorrespondence: Thais Chimati Felix Email [email protected]: This study aims to investigate the occurrence of vulvovaginal infections, to describe and to relate the hygiene habits of women who were treated at the Units of Primary Attention to Family Health in a municipality in the interior of Brazil.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out in two Primary Health Care Units of the Family of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The population sample consisted of 100 women who underwent gynecological consultation in the health units. Data were collected through interviews and by the analysis of medical records. Results were reported according to laboratory reports.Results: The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 45 years, with a median of 36 years. Thirty women (30%) presented alterations in the microbiota from a Pap smear, where bacterial vaginosis (diagnosed with Amsel criteria) was the predominant microorganism (83.3%). More than half of the women in the study who had vulvovaginitis wore cotton panties (70%, p = 0.651) and tight jeans/pants (83.3%, p = 0.010). The habit of depilating the genital area was reported by all the women, with the razor blade being the most commonly used tool (68%; p = 0.196).Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis was the most commonly reported infection in the cytological exams. Care with genitalia and genital hygiene habits may be associated with the occurrence of vulvovaginitis.Keywords: genital infection, women’s health, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, female genitalia, genital hygiene
