Associations between intravaginal practices and bacterial vaginosis in Kenyan female sex workers without symptoms of vaginal infections.
BACKGROUND
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is highly prevalent among African women and has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV-1.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to analyze the relationship among intravaginal practices, bathing, and BV.


METHODS
The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of HIV-1-seronegative Kenyan female sex workers without symptoms of vaginal infections.


RESULTS
Of 237 women enrolled, 206 (87%) reported vaginal washing using either a finger or cloth. Increasing frequency of vaginal washing was associated with a higher likelihood of BV (chi(2) test for trend, P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, vaginal lubrication with petroleum jelly (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-5.6), lubrication with saliva (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1-4.8), and bathing less than the median for the cohort (14 times/week; OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.2-17.5) were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of BV.


CONCLUSIONS
Modification of intravaginal and general hygiene practices should be evaluated as potential strategies for reducing the risk of BV.
Hassan
Wisal M
WM
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. wisal@u.washington.edu
Lavreys
Ludo
L
Chohan
Vrasha
V
Richardson
Barbra A
BA
Mandaliya
Kishorchandra
K
Ndinya-Achola
Jeckoniah O
JO
Kiarie
James
J
Jaoko
Walter
W
Holmes
King K
KK
McClelland
R Scott
RS
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*