title: Prevalence and risk factors of lower genital tract infections among women in Beijing, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of common female lower genital tract infections (LGTIs) among married women in Beijing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among married women aged 25-54years. All subjects were interviewed, followed by gynecological examination and laboratory tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 6339 women were enrolled. The prevalence of LGTIs was 11.4%, including 8.7% bacterial vaginosis, 1.0% trichomoniasis and 1.7% candidiasis. Three factors were associated with the increased likelihood of LGTIs: age of 30-49years (odds ratio (OR), 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.046-1.840), a high number of sexual partners (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.911-2.173), and failure to use a condom (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.434-2.065). Bacterial vaginosis was significantly associated with the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and high-risk human papillomavirus infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improving women's living standards and knowledge regarding reproductive health issues can help decrease the incidence of LGTIs and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Caiyan
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Weiyuan
authors.forename: Wu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Minghui
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Songwen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology