The accuracy of women performing vaginal pH self-testing.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if women could measure their vaginal pH as accurately as could physicians.


METHODS
Each participant measured her vaginal pH using a swab, completed a survey, and then was seen by her physician, who also performed a vaginal pH test. The physician did not have access to the patient's pH reading; only the study coordinator recorded patient results. Accuracy of patient measurements compared with physician results was analyzed by the kappa statistic.


RESULTS
A total of 161 women were enrolled in the study. The average difference between the patients' pH readings and the physicians' readings was <0.5. Overall, 85% of the patients' readings were in agreement with the physicians' readings, and the kappa statistic was 0.6.


CONCLUSIONS
Study participants could accurately measure vaginal pH through self-testing. Vaginal pH self-testing may be a convenient tool to help women determine whether they should use an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medication or go to a physician for diagnostic workup.
Kulp
Jennifer L
JL
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
Chaudhry
Sonal
S
Wiita
Brinda
B
Bachmann
Gloria
G
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral