Prevalence of vaginitis recurrence and its associated factors in women referring to gynecological clinics affiliated to Ilam University of Medical Sciences in 2023

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 B.Sc. Student of Midwifery, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

2 M.Sc. of Midwifery, Clinical Research Development Unit (CRDU), 5 Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

3 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2024.81506.6153

Abstract

Introduction: Vaginitis is a medical term for inflammation or infection of the vagina and is one of the common diseases in more than one third of women around the world. The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the prevalence of vaginitis recurrence and its related factors in women referring to the clinics affiliated to Ilam University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2023 on 255 women with vaginitis referring to the gynecology clinics of Ilam University of Medical Sciences. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data related to demographic, reproductive, behavioral, medical, clinical, and therapeutic factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19) and Chi-square, Fisher's exact, regression and correlation statistical tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of vaginitis was 20.8%, the overall prevalence of recurrence of vaginitis was 10.05%, and prevalence of candida vaginitis recurrence was 43.8%, trichomonas vaginitis 11.3%, bacterial vaginitis 17.6%, atrophic vaginitis 4.3% and inflammatory vaginitis 5.1%. No significant association was found between prevalence of vaginitis recurrence and demographic factors. Among the behavioral factors, the use of vaginal washes had a statistically significant relationship with the recurrence of vaginitis (P=0.042). Among the clinical and therapeutic factors, vaginal itching before menstruation (P=0.017) and having the clinical symptom of vaginal itching (P=0.009) had a statistically significant relationship with the recurrence of vaginitis.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate the high prevalence of vaginitis recurrence and the influence of behavioral and clinical factors in the increase of vaginitis recurrence. Improving living conditions, health education regarding behavioral habits and avoiding risk factors (avoiding excessive use of vaginal washes) will help to reduce the prevalence of vaginitis recurrence.

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References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 27, Issue 9
November 2024
Pages 51-63

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