Abstract

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in 242 women attending family planning clinics in Concepcion, Chile was studied using the Nugent criteria. The syndrome was present in 33.1% of women. No statistical difference was found between the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and the of oral contraceptives (31.9%) or intrauterine devices (33.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of the Nugent criteria compared with the Amsel criteria were 86.7% and 91.0%, respectively. Vaginal fluid pH and appearance had low specificity in this population. Microorganisms associated with bacterial vaginosis were Gardnerella vaginalis (96.3%), Prevotella/Porphyromonas (70%), Mobiluncus spp. (48.8%), Mycoplasma hominis (21.3%) and Ureaplasma urelyticum (21.3). These results suggest that preventive actions and management of clinical infection to prevent complications are needed. (C) 1999 Academic Press.