Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in Thai women attending the family planning clinic, Siriraj Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among Thai women attending a family planning clinic and to evaluate the association of BV with potential risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross sectional prevalence study was conducted among 800 women attending the family planning clinic, Siriraj Hospital, between August and December 2003. BV was diagnosed according to Amsel's criteria. Prevalence and risk factor models were compiled and statistically analyzed RESULTS: Among the low risk population acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, the prevalence of BV was 14.6% (117 of 800). Asymptomatic disease was recognized in up to 47.9% (56 of 117). BV was significantly more prevalent among those who used douching inside the vagina [OR = 3.98 (1.85-8.33), p < 0.01] and high a prevalence among IUD users [OR = 1.84 (1.22-2.79), p < 0.01]. Although not statistically significant, BV tended to be more prevalent among women with a lower age at first intercourse, higher numbers of lifetime partners, higher frequency of sexual intercourse and current smokers. CONCLUSION: BV is a relatively high prevalent condition. The two potential risk factors, douching inside the vagina and IUD use, can be demonstrated, adding to be more concerned about the inappropriate practice of douching and more consideration in IUD users. The other potential risk factors, the impact to adverse reproductive outcomes and the prevention of BV need further studies, particularly in various Thai populations.

Birth control in married women : Study in postpartum women at Siriraj Hospital.

The study interviewed 494 postpartum women at Siriraj Hospital. Of These 44.9 percent were women with first para and 55.1 percent were those with at least one child. Among women with first para, 37.4 percent were 19 years old or less, which is not an appropriate age for having children. Among the group on non-contraceptive use, 45.3 percent were adolescents who were 19 years old or less. 40.9 percent of the women with first para and 52.4 percent of the women in the other group who stopped using contraception gave the reason that they wanted to have a child. In addition, 14.2 percent of the women with first para and 9.2 percent of women with at lest one child stated that they stopped using the contraceptive method was 19.7 percent among women with first para and 20.1 percent among women with at least one child. Therefore, counseling before and after the method use is essential for client to select the appropriate method and to prolong the use of the method.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B carriers in pregnant women.

This study aimed to detect the prevalence of HBV carriers in pregnant woman by two blood tests, 3-month interval for HBsAg. At Siriraj antenatal clinic, there were 6.3% HBsAg positive and 37.6% HBsAg positive in 17,652 pregnant women who first visit ANC. Second blood test showed that 17.6% was HBsAg negative. HBV carrier pregnant women who were HBsAg positive twice were younger than HBV carriers who were HBsAg negative twice with P=0.00006. There were 1.2% high SGPT in HBV carriers. In sub-group who were HBsAg negative and turn to positive, 9.1% of them had high SGPT. This result indicates that in high prevalence of HBV carrier pregnant women blood test for SGPT in this sub-group is beneficial and cost-effective.