scholarly journals Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in Portuguese pregnant women and vaginal colonization byGardnerella vaginalis

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Machado ◽  
Joana Castro ◽  
José Martinez-de-Oliveira ◽  
Cristina Nogueira-Silva ◽  
Nuno Cerca

BackgroundWe aimed to determine the prevalence of vaginal colonization byGardnerella vaginalisand of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in Portuguese pregnant women, and to identify risk factors for BV andG. vaginaliscolonization in pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years who were attending in two public hospitals of the Northwest region of Portugal. Epidemiological data was collected by anonymous questionnaire. BV was diagnosed by Nugent criteria andG. vaginalispresence was identified by polymerase chain reaction. Crude associations between the study variables and BV orG. vaginaliscolonization were quantified by odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThe prevalences of BV and ofG. vaginaliscolonization among Portuguese pregnant women were 3.88% and 67.48%, respectively. Previous preterm delivery and colonization byG. vaginaliswere factors with very high OR, but only statistically significant for a 90% CI. Conversely, higher rates ofG. vaginaliscolonization were found in women with basic educational level (OR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.33–5.78]), during the second trimester of pregnancy (OR = 6.12, 95% CI [1.80–20.85]) and with BV flora (OR = 8.73, 95% CI [0.50–153.60]).DiscussionDespite the lower number of women with BV, prevalence ratios and association with risk factors were similar to recent European studies. However, the percentage of healthy women colonized byG. vaginaliswas significantly higher than many previous studies, confirming thatG. vaginaliscolonization does not always lead to BV development.

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-240
Author(s):  
Ruţa Florina ◽  
Avram Călin ◽  
Voidăzan Septimiu ◽  
Rus Victoria ◽  
Georgescu Mihai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. It is well-known that the exposure during pregnancy to lifestyle risk factors can affect thehealth both for the mother and the fetus. There are many risk factors for pregnancy, including: smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary pattern, irregular daily meal serving plan, lack of knowledge regarding health prevention. The main objective of our study was to assess the practices, knowledge and attitudes towards lifestyle risk behaviors during pregnancy in a group of women from Tirgu-Mures area. Materials and methods. We used a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire, assessingsmoking behavior and lifestyle patterns during pregnancy, on a group of 481 women from the urban area (58.84%), as well as from the rural area (41.16%) from Mures county. Results. In the study group, 190 women (39.5%) used to smoke before pregnancy; among which 37.36% continued to smoke even after they found out they are pregnant. In the group of pregnant women that continued to smoke during pregnancy, we have studied other behavioral factors related to lifestyle, identifying the following: 5,73% have been consuming alcohol weekly, 56.33% reduced greatly their physical activity level, 3.63% have been consuming at least 3 cups of coffee a day. During pregnancy, 12.72% did not have a regular, daily meal serving plan, and 67.26% was a little or not at all concerned about their eating habits. Only 30.9% from the smoking pregnant women group have received information from the family doctor (GP) regarding the risk factors of smoking habits, while 38.18% did not receive any information. Conclusions. Behavioral risk factors in pregnancy have to be followed closely by the HealthCare System in order to avoid complications for the mother and the child. The best way of accomplishing that is through an efficient community intervention.


Author(s):  
Jinzhu Xie ◽  
Yinhuan Hu ◽  
Chuntao Lu ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
Jason T. Carbone ◽  
...  

Hospitals are struggling to involve patients and learn from their experience. The risk factor of patient experience is increasingly recognized as a critical component in improving patient experience. Our study explored risk factors of negative patient experience in order to improve the health-service quality of public hospitals. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Hubei province, China. A total of 583 respondents were surveyed by the Outpatient Experience Questionnaire with good validity and reliability in July 2015. T-tests were conducted to compare the experience scores among different outpatient groups. Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the significant factors that influenced the outpatient experience. Outpatients between 18 and 44 years old had the lowest experience scores (65.89 ± 0.79), whereas outpatients completely paying out-of-pocket had the lowest experience scores (64.68 ± 0.81) among all participants. Outpatients with poor self-rated health status had the lowest experience scores (66.14 ± 1.61) among different self-rated health status groups. While age, type of payment, and self-rated health status were significantly risk factors that influenced outpatient experience in the multiple linear regression. Thus, health-care providers should pay more attention to outpatients who are young (age <45), completely out-of-pocket and poor health status, and provide precision health care to improve outpatient experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Soltani ◽  
Ali Dalir Ghaffari ◽  
Mehdi Sagha Kahvaz ◽  
Mohamad Sabaghan ◽  
Marzieh Pashmforosh ◽  
...  

Background. This research was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women and related risk factors in southwest Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, eighty-eight pregnant women were included from October 2019 to December 2019. The presence of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, a questionnaire consisting of demographic information was completed for each subject. Results. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was estimated to be 34.09% (30/88). Of these, 1 (1.13%) and 29 (32.95%) samples were found positive for IgM and IgG, respectively. Regarding the risk factors, the consumption of raw/undercooked meat ( P value = 0.007) and history of abortion ( P value = 0.017) were significantly associated with IgG seroprevalence in pregnant women. Conclusion. The results showed that the pregnant women of southwest Iran might be moderately exposed to T. gondii. Since the risk of acute T. gondii infection in this susceptible group is very important, regular screening tests to diagnose the infection are recommended before pregnancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Salomon Philippe Nguwoh

Background: In Republic of Chad, the seroprevalence of HIV among antenatal pregnant women is known as decreasing over years meanwhile the epidemiological data among pregnant women for hepatitis B virus are scarce. The co-infection HIV/HBV increases the risk of mother to child transmission of both viruses. This study aimed to determine the rate of HIV, HBV co-infection and to identify the associated risk factors among pregnant women attending Guelendeng health district (GHD). Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted from March to May 2019 among pregnant women attending GHD. The questionnaire included demographics, AIDS and HBV knowledge, behavior factors and history of blood transfusion. Blood samples were obtained and tested serologically for HIV and HBV. The study of associations between exposure and outcome variables was sought with the odds ratio (OR), expressed with 95% confidence interval. Tests were performed using Epi info 7.0 with p<0.05 considered as significant. Results: Out of 200 enrolled pregnant women, the median age was 25years old with interquartile range from 20.5 to 30 years old. The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and the co-infection HIV/HBV were 4.5% (95% CI: 2.1%-8.4%; 9/200), 13% (95% CI: 8.7%-18.5%; 26/200) and 2% (95 % IC: 0.6%-5%; 4/200) respectively. The antenatal age was associated to HBV infection (p=0.04) unlike HIV infection (p=0.4) and HIV/HBV co-infection (p=0.52). Women aged more than 29 years were most affected. Bivariate analysis identified that the non-use of condom (OR 7.79, 95% CI: 1.9-32.6, p=0.004) and blood transfusion history (OR 17.9, 95% CI: 2.6-124.8, p=0.01) were associated risk factors of contracting HIV. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HIV and HBV remains high among pregnant women attending antenatal ward in Guelendeng Health District with associated risk factors such as age, blood transfusion and the non-use of condom with new sexual partners.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Lami ◽  
Abdul Wahhab Jewad ◽  
Abulameer Hassan ◽  
Hadeel Kadhim ◽  
Sura Alharis

BACKGROUND Arbaeenia is the largest religious mass gathering (MG) in Iraq where millions of people from Iraq and many other countries visit Karbala city, south Iraq. MGs are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality from different noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and asthma. There is a scarcity of publications that address MGs in Iraq. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the NCD emergencies in public hospitals in Karbala, Najaf, and Babel governorates in Iraq, during the Arbaeenia MG and assess predisposing factors for NCD emergencies. METHODS The study was conducted from November 27 to December 16, 2014. Data were collected in the pre-event and during MG event from 7 selected hospitals. The pre-event data were collected from emergency room (ER) registers and logbooks, and the data on the MG event were collected daily through direct interview with patients and treating physicians using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS In total, 4425 NCD emergencies were recorded. Of these, 80.13% (3546/4425) were collected during the MG event. The NCD emergencies attended at ER hospitals during MG were severe hypertension (HT), diabetes (hyperglycemia), ischemic heart disease (IHD), asthma, and pulmonary edema. The load of NCD emergencies and the daily average emergencies increased 4-fold and 2-fold during the MG event, respectively. Most of the NCD emergencies were treated at ER departments, and a few were hospitalized. Intense physical activities and poor adherence to diet and medication were risk factors for IHD, severe HT, and hyperglycemic diabetes emergencies. Exposure to noxious gases or fumes and recent respiratory infections were risk factors for asthma emergencies. CONCLUSIONS As the pilgrims approached Karbala city during the Arbaeenia MG, the hospitals on the roads leading to the city experienced an increased load of patients because of different NCD emergencies. Although hospitals should be equipped with the necessary supplies, health education for pilgrims is mandatory, particularly on the factors that can exacerbate their diseases.


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