Microbiological findings of vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls.

OBJECTIVE: To compare vaginal culture results between prepubertal girls with and without vulvovaginitis, and obtain an overview of the most commonly encountered microbes. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos during September 2011-December 2012. PATIENTS: 115 prepubertal girls with vulvovaginitis symptoms and additionally 20 age-matched asymptomatic girls. METHODS: Each girl had a vaginal smear carried out using a sterile swab from the introitus or lower third of the vagina. All samples were referred to the microbiology laboratory where standard microbiological diagnostic procedures were performed. RESULTS: Positive microbiological findings were seen in all 115 (100%) symptomatic girls and in 12 (60%) control group girls (p<0.001). Pathogenic bacteria were found only in symptomatic girls. Statistically significant differences in bacteria culture results (pure or mixed) and growth of isolated bacteria colonies between patients versus healthy girls were found (p<0.05). The dominant bacteria in the target group, accounting for 66% of all isolated microbes, were Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus coagulase negative, Streptococcus α haemolyticus and A group Streptococcus ß haemolyticus. The bacteria of faecal origin were isolated from 61 (53%) girls with vulvovaginitis and from 5 (25%) girls without vaginal inflammation (p<0.05). Instances of Candida species were extremely rare (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Positive microbiological findings, mixed bacteria cultures and a high growth of bacteria colonies are found significantly more often in girls with vulvovaginitis. The main causative premenarchal vulvovaginitis agents are faecal in origin.

Advantages and disadvantages of over-the-counter availability of emergency contraception.

OBJECTIVES: To compare usage patterns, accessibility and knowledge about over-the counter (OTC) emergency contraception (EC) in comparison to prescription-only EC. DESIGN AND SETTING: Self-designed, paper-based validated questionnaires containing 26 questions were distributed among students and high school pupils in Poland (PL) - 1000 questionnaires and in Lithuania (LT) - 650. In Lithuania EC is available OTC, whereas in Poland EC is a prescription-only drug. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: 74.01% of Poles and 70.89% of Lithuanians reported a history of sexual activity. About one third of the respondents in both countries used EC at least once in a lifetime (PL: 29.01%, LT: 32.2%; p>0.05). The main reason for EC usage in both countries was a broken condom (PL: 60.63%, LT: 57.66 %; p>0.05). In case of emergency more than half of the questioned women in both countries would use EC pill. The knowledge about EC was significantly lower in Poland (PL median - 8 out of 16; LT - 10 out of 16 true/false statements; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Over-the-counter availability of EC does not cause repetitive or increased usage. Moreover, an easier access to EC improves patients' knowledge about the drug.