title: A follow-up study of methods of contraception, sexual activity, and rates of trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis.
abstract: A randomized, clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the spermicidal agent nonoxynol 9 as prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases. Eight hundred eighteen women using birth control who attended a sexually transmitted disease clinic were evaluated monthly for trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis for 6 months. Women using the active spermicide experienced a somewhat lower incidence rate of trichomoniasis (relative rate 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 1.12) and bacterial vaginosis (relative rate 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 1.12) as compared with placebo users. The rate of candidiasis was nearly identical for spermicide and placebo users (relative rate 1.02; 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 1.35). The number of sexual partners during the preceding month was related directly to the occurrence of trichomoniasis (p = 0.047) and bacterial vaginosis (p = 0.009) but not candidiasis (p = 0.99). Subjects using oral contraceptives experienced a statistically significant lower rate of trichomoniasis than did women using an intrauterine contraceptive device or who had had a tubal ligation (relative rate 0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.81).
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbone
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Louv
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols