Microbial Paern of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge in Reproducve Age Women Presenng in a Terary Health Facility in Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Abnormal vaginal discharge, a common gynecological issue in reproducve-age women, is primarily caused by microbial pathogens. Since these organisms have been linked to cause severe consequences for the fetus and mother, it is crucial to determine their microbiome paerns. This study, therefore assessed the microbial paern of abnormal vaginal discharge in reproducve-age women presenng in a terary health facility in Imo State Nigeria

Methods: This was a cross-seconal study conducted among 368 women between 18-45 years who aended the General Outpaent Clinic of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri between February and April 2023 recruited via systemac sampling technique.  Demographic data were obtained using a pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered quesonnaire. Two vaginal swab samples were collected from each parcipant for wet mount and Gram staining, while an endocervical swab was collected for microbial culture. Gram staining and culture were for idenficaon and characterizaon of the microorganisms. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Quantave variables were summarized using means and standard deviaon while categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages.

Results: The mean age of the parcipants was 30 ± 4.5 years. Majority of the parcipants (95.6%) reported a past history of abnormal vaginal discharge while 20.1% reported current history of abnormal vaginal discharge. The associated symptoms reported were vulval itching (81.1%), burning sensaon (64.9%), dysuria (37.8%), and dyspareunia (27%). The commonest aeologic agents isolated from the vaginal discharge specimen were Candida albicans (63.5%), Group B Streptoccocus (6.8%), and Trichomonas vaginalis (2.7%). Polymicrobial agents accounted for 10.8%.

Conclusions: The idenficaon of the common aeologic agents and associated symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge in reproducve-age women will improve early diagnosis and prompt treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge in reproducve-age women.