Are racial differences in vaginal pH explained by vaginal flora?
OBJECTIVE
The study assessed racial differences in vaginal pH among women without bacterial vaginosis.


METHODS
Data from the Vaginal Infections and Prematurity (VIP) Study were analyzed. From 1984 to 1989, 13,917 largely low-income women were enrolled during routine prenatal visits from 23 to 26 weeks' gestation. Vaginal cultures, Gram stains, and pH levels were collected. Comparisons of pH by race were made among women with Gram stain scores <7 and without trichomoniasis before and after adjustment for actual Gram stain score.


RESULTS
Among women with Gram stain scores <7, there was a modest but statistically significant racial difference in vaginal pH level. However, after controlling for difference in Gram stain score, age, and study site, there was no longer a significant difference in vaginal pH.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no significant difference in vaginal pH level between black and white women after controlling for differences in confounding factors, particularly vaginal flora.
Fiscella
Kevin
K
Department of Family Medicine and Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA. Kevin_Fiscella@urmc.rochester.edu
Klebanoff
Mark A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D005840:Gentian Violet; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010619:Phenazines; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D044469:Racial Groups; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis; D044465:White People
C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D005840:Gentian Violet