ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis infections and to investigate associations between their presence in the lower female genital tract and lifestyle characteristics. The study was performed on a population of 3115 women, comparing the demographic and behavioural characteristics of 872 women with U. urealyticum infection and 142 women with M. hominis with uninfected women, using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of infection with U. urealyticum was 28% and M. hominis was 4.6%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, intrauterine device, number of sexual partners and age (<35 years) were significantly associated with U. urealyticum while previous induced abortion, condom use and young age at first intercourse (<16 years) were associated with M. hominis infection. U. urealyticum infection presents the same demographic and behavioural characteristics of a sexually transmitted disease. The unprotective role of condom use suggests a non-sexual mode of transmission of M. hominis infection.
Subject(s)
Mycoplasma Infections/epidemiology , Mycoplasma hominis/isolation & purification , Reproductive Tract Infections/epidemiology , Ureaplasma Infections/epidemiology , Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Outpatients , Prevalence , Rome/epidemiology , Sexual Behavior , Young AdultSubject(s)
Disease Notification/statistics & numerical data , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Mandatory Reporting , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy/statistics & numerical data , Risk Assessment/methods , Rubella Syndrome, Congenital/epidemiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Incidence , Italy/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate if bacterial vaginosis is associated with the use of specific contraceptives. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1314 women attending for periodical preventive examinations at our gynecology unit at the II Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University 'La Sapienza' in Rome. The patient's history and any current genital symptom were recorded on a structured protocol. Current users of contraceptives were compared with non-users. The chi(2) test and the t-test were used in the statistical analysis; a stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the simultaneous effect of more than one variable and to identify for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: Both oral contraceptive and condom use showed a significant protective effect against bacterial vaginosis. Our results also showed a significant increase of BV among IUD users, either before or after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant negative association between BV and OC and condom use, respectively, and a significant positive association between BV and IUD use. Therefore, we suggest that it is advisable to carry out a systematic microscopic evaluation in order to identify BV for IUD users.
