Women view key sexual behaviours as the trigger for the onset and recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects a third of women of reproductive age in the US and there is increasing evidence to suggest it may be sexually transmitted. This study aimed to extend and validate the findings of our earlier smaller qualitative study by exploring in detail women's views and experiences of the triggering factors associated with BV onset and recurrence.

Methods

Women aged 20-49, who had experienced one or more symptomatic episode of BV within 6 months, were opportunistically recruited to complete a 38-item questionnaire on their experience of BV.

Results

103 women completed the questionnaire. Women were significantly more likely to report sexual than lifestyle factors triggered BV onset and recurrence (p<0.001). The top 3 factors women attribu

SUBMITTER: Bilardi JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5344463 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature