Exploring the relationship between bacterial vaginosis and socioeconomic factors in Bundelkhand region: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition affecting women of reproductive age, which can cause a range of adverse health outcomes. The cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between BV and socioeconomic factors, including age groups, education level, income, and hygiene measures, in the Bundelkhand region of India, with the goal of informing public health interventions to reduce the burden of Bacterial Vaginosis. The study included 250 symptomatic pregnant women (with written consent) from different socioeconomic backgrounds and locations within the Bundelkhand region. Vaginal swabs were taken and Nugent's score was calculated to determine the presence of BV. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was based on Amsel's criteria, which includes the pH of vaginal secretion, the presence of clue cells, and the whiff's test.  The study found that the overall prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among 250 symptomatic pregnant women attending the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College of Jhansi was 28%. Women in the 40-49 years of age group had the highest prevalence of BV (75%), and illiterate women had the highest prevalence (39.58%). Women with poor personal hygiene had a higher prevalence of BV (42.5%) and those in the low-income group (LIG) had the highest prevalence (38%). The study suggests that age, education level, menstrual and personal hygiene, and income may be associated with the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis. This study found a high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among women in the Bundelkhand region, with education level, menstrual hygiene, and personal hygiene being associated risk factors. Continued research and investment in public health initiatives are necessary to improve women's health outcomes and quality of life in this underserved area.