Risk Factors Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Women in Senegal
Safietou Ngom-Cisse *
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Assane Dieng
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Omar Gassama
Gynecological and Obstetrical Clinic, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Sénégal.
Habsa Diagne-Samb
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Moustapha Cisse
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Serigne Mbaye Lo Ndiaye
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Alioune Tine
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Farba Karam
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Gora Lo
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal and Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formation (IRESSEF), Dakar, Sénégal.
Awa Ba-Diallo
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal and Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formation (IRESSEF), Dakar, Sénégal.
Aïssatou Gaye-Diallo
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal and Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formation (IRESSEF), Dakar, Sénégal.
Coumba Toure-Kane
Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formation (IRESSEF), Dakar, Sénégal.
Halimatou Diop-Ndiaye
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal and Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formation (IRESSEF), Dakar, Sénégal.
Cheikh Saad-Bouh Boye
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
Makhtar Camara
Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Center Hospital National University Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal and Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formation (IRESSEF), Dakar, Sénégal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with a high risk of complications, particularly during pregnancy.
Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of BV in pregnant women in Dakar, Senegal, and to identify its associated risk factors.
Patients and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 in pregnant women with 34 to 38 weeks of gestation and seen for their routine prenatal consultation at the Nabil Choucair health center in Dakar, Senegal. Vaginal swabs were taken and examined using the Nugent scoring system for the diagnosis of the BV. Data analysis on SPSS (version 25) was done using the chi-square test to measure the strength of association. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: BV was found in 28.0% (112/400) of the screened women with a median age 24 (21-29) years. A pH >4.5 predictive of BV was found in 80.4% (90/112) of samples. BV was associated with vaginal candidiasis in 49.1% (55/112) while Trichomonas vaginitis was found in 1.8% (02/112). In 80.4% (90/112) of affected women, BV was caused by Gardnerella vaginalis. Mobiluncus spp. was found in 19.6% (22/112) pregnant women in association with G. vaginalis. Symptoms characterized by episodes of pruritus, pelvic pain, burning and/or dyspareunia were seen among 59.8% (67/112) of these women with BV while 40.1% (45/112) of them reported no symptoms.
Conclusion: In view of these results and in order to reduce gestational complications and adverse outcomes in the newborn, screening for BV in pregnant women should be favored in developing countries.
Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, pregnant women, risk factors, Senegal