title: Maternal bacterial vaginosis and fetal/infant mortality in eight Florida counties, 1999 to 2000.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of maternal bacterial vaginosis (BV) in fetal/infant mortality cases and factors associated with BV. A retrospective descriptive study was utilized. Data were obtained from review of vital statistics and medical records of 176 women experiencing fetal/infant deaths in eight Florida counties, 1999 to 2000. Non-White mothers accounted for 68.96% of deaths (chi square = 10.119, df = 4, p = 0.038), although the population of the eight counties was 64% White. Of 121 non-White mothers (68.8%) with infections, 37 (30.6%) had BV. Most fetal/infant deaths (39.7%) occurred 20-23 weeks' gestation and at birthweights <500 g, as did most cases of BV (46%). Women with BV were more likely to be non-White (OR 2.756, 95% CI 1.075, 7.066), single (OR 2.090, 95% CI 1.081, 7.246), <24 years old (t = 3.172, p = 0.002), and have <12 years of education (t = 2.56, p = 0.011). Findings support early screening and treatment for BV in women with these risk factors or a history of prior fetal/infant loss or preterm/low-birthweight infant. Factors contributing to racial disparity in BV and fetal/infant mortality need further exploration.
authors.affiliation: Florida State University School of Nursing, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4310, USA. bcottrel@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
authors.forename: Barbara Hansen
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shannahan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002423:Cause of Death; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000639:trends*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D044465:White People / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data