Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in women attending family planning clinics

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in 242 women attending family planning cl inics in Concepcion, Chile was studied using the Nugent criteria. The syndr ome was present in 33.1% of women. No statistical difference was found betw een the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and the of oral contraceptives (3 1.9%) or intrauterine devices (33.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of t he Nugent criteria compared with the Amsel criteria were 86.7% and 91.0%, r espectively. Vaginal fluid pH and appearance had low specificity in this po pulation. Microorganisms associated with bacterial vaginosis were Gardnerel la vaginalis (96.3%), Prevotella/Porphyromonas (70%), Mobiluncus spp. (48.8 %), Mycoplasma hominis (21.3%) and Ureaplasma urelyticum 21.3). These resul ts suggest that preventive actions and management of clinical infection to prevent complications are needed. (C) 1999 Academic Press.