title: Establishing and sustaining a healthy vaginal environment: analysis of data from a randomized trial of periodic presumptive treatment for vaginal infections.
abstract: Data from a randomized trial of oral periodic presumptive treatment (PPT) to reduce vaginal infections were analyzed to assess the effect of the intervention on a healthy vaginal environment (normal flora confirmed by Gram stain with no candidiasis or trichomoniasis). The incidence of a healthy vaginal environment was 608 cases per 100 person-years in the intervention arm and 454 cases per 100 person-years in the placebo arm (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.58). Sustained vaginal health (healthy vaginal environment for ≥3 consecutive visits) was also more frequent in the intervention arm (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.23-2.33). PPT is effective at establishing and sustaining a healthy vaginal environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. jbalkus@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Balkus
authors.forename: Barbra A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Kishorchandra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mandaliya
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiarie
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaoko
authors.forename: Jeckoniah O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ndinya-Achola
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marrazzo
authors.forename: Carey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farquhar
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McClelland
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014244:Trichomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010919:Placebos