ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of clue cells suggestive for Gardnerella vaginalis in population-based cervical screening in the public (SUS) versus private (RP) health care utilization in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study on the results of 133,966 cytology examinations of patients from the Brazilian Public Health System-SUS (better socio-economic status-SES) and from the Private Network-RP (low SES) done by the Souza Anatomy Laboratory in Maringá, Brazil, from 2004 to 2007. RESULTS: In patients using the SUS, the prevalence of clue cells was 6.75% (n = 3,573), higher (p < 0.05) than for RP users (3.53%, n = 2,813). The clue cells predominated in age range of the 20-49 years from the SUS and RP (p > 0.05). In both the populations, the prevalence and age range did not vary among the 4 years (p > 0.05) and the prevalence declines in age above 45 years (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of clue cells was low and stable in both populations in the 4 years, indicating equilibrium in terms of numbers of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in this localization. The results indicate that SES may influence the epidemiology of BV and that the prevalence declines expressively in older women.
Subject(s)
Gardnerella vaginalis/isolation & purification , Private Sector/statistics & numerical data , Public Sector/statistics & numerical data , Vaginal Smears/statistics & numerical data , Vaginosis, Bacterial/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Brazil/epidemiology , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , Vaginosis, Bacterial/microbiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the association of public versus private health care utilization and prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study on the results of 133,966 cytology examinations of patients from the Brazilian Public Health System (better socio-economic status, SES) and from the Private Network (low SES) done by the Souza Anatomy Laboratory in Maringá, Brazil, from 2004 to 2007. RESULTS: In patients using the SUS, the prevalence of trichomoniasis was 1.44% (n = 782), higher (P < 0.0001) than for RP users (0.18%, n = 147). The infection predominated in age ranges of the 30-39 years and 40-49 years old from the SUS (P < 0.0001) and in ages ranges from 40 to 49 years old from the RP (P < 0.0001). The infection prevalence and age range did not vary among the 4 years (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Trichomonas spp. was low and stable in both populations in the 4 years, indicating an equilibrium in terms of numbers of this agent in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. The results corroborate the hypothesis that SES may influence the epidemiology of trichomoniasis. The prevalence of the infection increases with age, a phenomenon not observed with other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea or Chlamydia trachomatis.
Subject(s)
Private Practice/statistics & numerical data , Trichomonas Vaginitis/epidemiology , Adult , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Public Health Practice , Retrospective Studies , Trichomonas vaginalis/isolation & purification , Vagina/microbiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Candida sp. by cervical-vaginal cytology in patients from the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) and from the Private Network (RP). METHODS: A retrospective study on the results of cytology exams from the Souza Anatomy Laboratory of Maringá, Paraná state, Brazil, from 2004 to 2006. RESULTS: A total of 94,203 reports of cytology were evaluated, with a prevalence of Candida sp. of 4.94% (n = 4,655), with no significant variation in the two populations or among the 3 years studied (P > 0.05). Candida sp. predominated in both populations, aged between 20 and 39 years (P < 0.0001). The bacterial flora linked to Candida sp. was of lactobacilli (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With the results obtained, it was noticed that the socio-economical level does not seem to influence the epidemiology of the Candida sp. and pointed to a balance in terms of numbers of this agent in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
