Risk factors and clinical findings of Gardnerella vaginalis infection in women referring to Tabriz health centers

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common type of vaginitis during reproductive period. Preterm labor, tubal infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease are more prevalent among women with vaginosis. Regarding high amount of refers and lack of data about their risk factors, this study was conducted. In this descriptive- analytic study, 1000 women referred to Tabriz health centers were randomly selected. Data were collected by a questionnaire containing demographic and fertility characteristics, previous history of treatment of symptoms as well as individual and sexual hygiene, researcher’s observations and results laboratory tests. Three samples were obtained from vaginal and cervical secretion and were used for microscopic observation and culture. Amsel’s diagnostic criteria were used for bacterial vaginosis. Data were analyzed by chi-square, t-test, exact Fisher test and logistic regression. Gardnerella Vaginalis was found in 9.2% of vaginal discharges. Risk factors of BV included number of delivery, vaginal delivery, abortion, IUD utilization, individual and sexual hygiene and duration of antibiotic use. Number of vaginal delivery and abortion, vaginal pH, sexual hygiene, women’s education and husband’s occupation were predictive factors of BV. This study showed that diagnosis and treatment of BV based on symptoms could not be appropriate. It is recommended that laboratory testing should be added to clinical observation and examination to detect BV, especially before IUD insertion.