Genital infections among women using various contraceptive methods in Basra, Iraq

A survey of women with abnormal vaginal discharge was conducted among patients attending an obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at Basra Hospital, Basra, Iraq, from September 1995 to June 1996. Out of 260 women examined, 250 [96.2%] were found to be infected with sexually transmitted and other genitourinary diseases, with a 16.2% incidence of multiple infections. This study compares the rate of infection by age group and contraception methods used. Significant findings include a 25.0% occurrence of Candida spp. among women using oral contraception and higher occurrence of Gardnerella sp. and Klebsiella spp. for women using an IUD as compared to nonusers