Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis and its related organisms have been linked to higher risk of sexual acquisition and transmission of the human immuno deficiency virus (HIV). The association of bacterial vaginosis with higher rates of late miscarriage; preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis and preterm births has been documented. These factors have implications for mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. It is therefore pertinent to document the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among HIV positive women in our setting.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis between HIV positive pregnant women compare to those who are HIV negative in JUTH-Jos.

Study design, setting and subjects: A cross sectional study
was carried out among HIV positive pregnant women as the study
group and HIV negative pregnant women as controlled group at the
antenatal clinic of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos.

Main outcome Measures: Bacterial vaginosis status among HIV
positive and HIV negative pregnant women at the antenatal clinic,
JUTH-Jos. This was compared using the chi square test to determine if
there is a statistically significant difference in the two groups.
Results: A total of 518 pregnant women were recruited for the study
(257 HIV positive VS 261 HIV negative). The overall prevalence of
bacterial vaginosis in both groups was 26.6%. The prevalence among
women who are HIV positive was 39.3% compare to a prevalence of
14.2% among HIV negative pregnant women. This difference was
statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant
women in JUTH, Jos is high. HIV infection is a significant exposure risk
factor for bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women in Jos. A policy
for routine screening of bacterial vaginosis among all HIV positive
pregnant women in this setting is recommended.

PREVALENCE OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AMONG HIV POSITIVE ANTENATAL WOMEN IN JUTH -JOS