FREQUENCY OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AMONG WOMEN PRESENTING WITH PRETERM LABOUR

Background: Preterm delivery is of major medical, economic, and social importance worldwide. The incidence is between 5–10% in most developed countries. Both short-term and long-term issues may arise from preterm delivery. Preterm delivery is the cause of almost 85% of long-term disabilities in healthy babies and 75% of new-born deaths. This study aimed to determine the frequency of bacterial vaginosis among women presenting with preterm labour. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Women Medical College, Abbottabad, and Women & Children Hospital Abbottabad from Jun to Dec 2023. A total of 174 women with preterm labour were included in the study. All women were examined as per Amsel’s clinical diagnostic based on four factors, i.e., Thin grey homogeneous vaginal discharge, fishy smell on Amine test, clue cells of >20% on microscopy, and vaginal pH>4.5. Results: Age limit 15–45 years with mean age of 27.471±3.77 years, mean gestational age 29.546±3.45 weeks, mean parity 1.396±1.45 and mean Gravida was 2.396±1. Bacterial vaginosis was seen in 11.5% patients. Conclusion: There is a correlation between premature labour and bacterial vaginosis. It requires attention to lower morbidity and mortality. Pak J Physiol 2024;20(3):59–61, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v20i3.1704