EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

Studies of the prevalence of and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis are flawed by imprecision in diagnosis, failure to study large and wel l-characterized populations, selection bias, and failure to correct fo r confounding variables. Prevalences range from 5% for women without a ny symptoms to 25% for those with gynecologic symptoms. Although bacte rial vaginosis is associated with nonwhite race and intrauterine contr aceptive device use, these may represent surrogate markers for other p resently unappreciated risk factors.