Abnormal Vaginal Flora in Low-Risk Pregnant Women Cared for by a Public Health Service: prevalence and Association with Symptoms and Findings from Gynecological Exams

Authors

  • Danielle Cristina Alves Feitosa Gondo Municipal de Saúde de Botucatu
  • Marli Teresinha Cassamassimo Duarte Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"; Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu
  • Márcia Guimarães da Silva Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"; Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu
  • Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima Parada Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"; Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692010000500012

Keywords:

Vaginosis, Bacterial, Candidiases, Vulvovaginal, Pregnancy, Prevalence

Abstract

This study identifies the prevalence of vaginal flora alterations in low-risk pregnant women and their association with reported symptoms and gynecological exams. This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in public primary care service units in Botucatu, SP, Brazil from 2006 to 2008 with 289 pregnant women from a stratified sample obtained by sampling by care unit. Tests of vaginal content were performed using Grams method and testing for Trichomonas vaginalis using Diamonds medium. The prevalence of altered vaginal flora was 49.5%, of which bacterial vaginosis (20.7%), vaginal candidiasis (11.8%) and intermediate flora (11.1%) were the most frequent, not considering associations. Results revealed a high prevalence of vaginal flora alterations with little relation to symptoms, but in agreement with findings from the gynecological exams. Considering undesirable maternal and perinatal outcomes and feasible laboratory practices, the establishment of a routine for diagnosing vaginal flora alterations in low-risk pregnant women is suggested.

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Published

2010-10-01

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 5 (2010)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Gondo, D. C. A. F., Duarte, M. T. C., Silva, M. G. da, & Parada, C. M. G. de L. (2010). Abnormal Vaginal Flora in Low-Risk Pregnant Women Cared for by a Public Health Service: prevalence and Association with Symptoms and Findings from Gynecological Exams . Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 18(5), 919-927. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692010000500012