Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and chlamydia trachomatis among pregnant abused Hispanic women

Date

1998-12

Authors

King, Elizabeth

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Abstract

A case-control descriptive survey was completed as part of a chart audit in order to compare the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among a cohort of abused pregnant Hispanic women who attended three prenatal clinics of a large, metropolitan public health system between September 1, 1995, and August 31, 1996, and to compare this figure with prevalence of BV and CT in a larger group of pregnant Hispanic women who were not abused. The sample of 701 consisted of 233 abused and 468 nonabused women. The pre-admission book at each clinic was used to compile the list of nonabused women who attended their first prenatal clinic visit on the same day as the abused women.

Demographic comparison of the two groups revealed no significant difference at the .05 level, two-tailed, for age, pregnancy gestation at entry into prenatal care, or number of clinic visits. Comparison of the two groups on the basis of vaginal infection indicated no difference in CT infection prevalence, but the z score of 1.986 revealed a significant difference between the two groups in diagnosed bacterial vaginosis. The results of this study indicate that, in this population of pregnant Hispanic women, reported abuse is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis. BV infection is a risk factor for preterm delivery; therefore, the abused pregnant Hispanic woman is more at risk for BV and associated preterm delivery than the nonabused pregnant Hispanic woman.

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Keywords

Abused, Chlamydia trachomatis, Hispanic, Pregnant, Vaginosis, Women

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