title: Genital syndromes and syndromic management of vaginal discharge in a community setting.
abstract: The objective of the study was to determine the community prevalence of genital syndromes in women and evaluate the syndromic management of vaginal discharge in this setting. A representative sample for the state of Tamilnadu was chosen using probability proportional to size cluster technique. Thirty clusters were selected from three districts. Demographic, sexual behaviour, risk factors, clinical and laboratory data were collected from the selected population using a structured questionnaire. Direct smear examination for Trichomonas vaginalis, culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Haemophilus ducreyi, serological tests for syphilis (RPR and TPHA), hepatitis B (Hbs Ag ELISA), IgM and IgG antibodies to HSV2 (Novum diagnostics, Germany) and PCR test for detection of C. trachomatis from urine were done. There were 1157 women in the selected population. On examination, vaginal discharge was the most common genital syndrome (38.4%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of vaginal discharge as a marker for STD in women was found to be 43.3%, 61.6%, 10.7% and 91.1%, respectively. We concluded that treatment on the basis of syndromic management would result in over-treatment of 90% of women with vaginal discharge.
authors.affiliation: Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India. renugeorge@yahoo.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Thyagarajan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jeyaseelan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peedicayil
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jeyaseelan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D010388:Pelvis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014456:Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019522:Vaginal Discharge / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015415:Biomarkers