Sexually transmitted diseases and gynecologic symptoms and signs in women with a history of induced abortion

Objective: To investigate associations between a history of induced abortio n and current or previous sexually transmitted diseases and other gynecolog ic infections. Methods: A cohort study was performed at two family planning clinics and on e youth clinic, Of 996 women, 192 (19.3%) admitted a history of induced abo rtion, whereas the remaining 804 women served as a control group. A structu red, personal interview which included details on previous genital infectio ns and gynecologic symptoms and a gynecologic examination was performed. Ge nital chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, cervi cal human papillomavirus infection, bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and b acteria associated with bacterial vaginosis were diagnosed. Results: Both a history of genital infections, with the exception of vulvov aginal candidiasis, and current genital symptoms were more common in women with a history of induced abortion, compared with the control group. Age-ad justed odds ratios ranged from 1.5 (history of genital warts, 95% confidenc e interval (95% CI 0.9-2.5) to 5.0 (history of gonorrhea, 95% CI 2.6-9.7), Odds ratios for current bacterial vaginosis was 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-2.9) and fo r vulvovaginal candidiasis 1.8 (95% CI 1.1-2.7), Conclusion: Women attending a clinic for an induced abortion could be a tar get group for sexually transmitted disease information programs.