ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the socio-demographic and gynecological risk factors in pelvic inflammatory disease (EPI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study of the cases and controls divided by the age and the medical attention unit was performed. Women with an active sex life, who chose to participate in the study, were included. The definition of a case were the women who presented at least four of the clinical manifestations identified as critical as the principal criteria for EPI. For both groups a questionnaire was applied which contained the socio-demographical, gynecological and obstetric variables. RESULTS: 50 cases and 50 controls were evaluated. The risk factors associated with EPI were: scholastic level below high school, RMp 2.22 (IC95 1.03-5.13); low scholastic level of the couple, RMp 2.33 (0.91-6.6); working women, RMp 3.17 (IC95 1.3-8.7); women with a low socioeconomic level, RMp 2.86 (IC95 1.24-7.26); a history of infectious vaginitis in the previous three months, RMp 41 (IC95 7.94-838). The history of a use of intrauterine devices (DIU) did not present any association (RMp 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of EPI was found to be associated to socio-demographic and previous infectious vaginitis variables. The use of oral hormones and IUD did not show any relation. A greater amount of sexual education is needed for women with an active sex life in order to avoid the pelvic inflammatory disease.