Early sexual experiences and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis.
BACKGROUND
We have undertaken a cross-sectional study that investigates the association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexual practices in sexually experienced and inexperienced women.


METHODS
Participants were 17-21-year-old females who attend Melbourne University, Australia. Study kits that contained an information and consent form, questionnaire, swab, and slide were distributed. Information regarding demographic characteristics and a broad range of sexual practices were collected. Gram-stained, self-collected vaginal smears were scored with the Nugent method. Associations between BV and behaviors were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
BV was diagnosed in 25 (4.7%) of 528 women (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1%-6.9%). Importantly, BV was not detected in women (n = 83) without a history of coital or noncoital sexual contact (0%; 95% CI, 0%-4.3%). BV was detected in 3 (3.8%) of 78 women (95% CI, 0.8%-10.8%) with noncoital sexual experience only and in 22 (6.0%) of 367 women (95% CI, 3.8%-8.9%) who reported penile-vaginal sex. BV was associated with a history of any genital contact with a sexual partner (P=.02). BV was strongly associated with >3 penile-vaginal sex partners in the prior year (adjusted odds ratio, 7.1; 95% CI, 2.7-18.4) by multivariable analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a strong association between BV and penile-vaginal sex with multiple partners but found no BV in sexually inexperienced women, once a history of noncoital sexual practices was elicited. Our findings indicate that BV is not present in truly sexually inexperienced women.
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria, Australia. kfethers@mshc.org.au
Katherine A
KA
Fethers
Christopher K
CK
Fairley
Anna
A
Morton
Jane S
JS
Hocking
Carol
C
Hopkins
Lisa J
LJ
Kennedy
Glenda
G
Fehler
Catriona S
CS
Bradshaw
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult