Vaginitis and sexually transmitted infections in a hospital based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in immigrant population versus the local population, comparing the symptomatic patients against the asymptomatic women as controls.


METHODS
A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Gynaecology Clinic of Unit 1, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta. The study duration was six months from 1st April, 2004 to 31st October, 2004, examining 500 women. World Health Organization (WHO) recommended questionnaire was answered and High Vaginal Swab (HVS) was taken from posterior fornix of patient's vagina. Gram staining was done by the Pathology Department of the same hospital and description was based on Nugent's score and modified Spiegel's criteria. Blood was analyzed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) by immunochromatography. Analysis of results was done by Chi square test, screening test validity and incidence testing.


RESULTS
Women with vaginal discharge had higher incidence of STI (84%) than without it (38%). Refugees and women with grand multiparity made the high risk groups of targeted testing (P < 0.001). The commonest notifiable infections, in this study were vaginitis (33.48%), bacterial vaginosis (30.7%), candidiasis (10%), trichomoniasis (7.2%), gonorrhea (1.35%) and 1 case each of lymphogranuloma venereum and chancroid, and 3 carrier states of HbsAg were detected. No case of syphilis or HIV/AIDS, or genital herpes was found.


CONCLUSIONS
This study will serve as a marker for the tip of an iceberg of STI in Balochistan, needing targeted testing in high risk groups.
Sami
Shehla
S
Gynae Unit 1, Department of Obstetrics, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta.
Baloch
Shahnaz Naseer
SN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology*