RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among family planning users and the relationship between clinical symptoms and gynecologic signs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four hundred and fifty women were studied: they answered a detailed structured questionnaire and had a vaginal secretion sampling to make the diagnose of bacterial vaginosis according to the Amsel et al criteria. RESULTS: 85 women were excluded because they were found to have either yeast or trichomonas. 144/450 women were found to have bacterial vaginosis (32%), while 221 women without evidence of this problem served as a comparison group. We found an increased number of sexual partners, and more abortions and premature rupture of membranes in women with bacterial vaginosis than women without the problem. More than 50% of patients with bacterial vaginosis were asymptomatic of disease complaints and the only sign with significance observed in bacterial vaginosis patients was a grey vaginal discharge. Use of IUD wasn't associated with bacterial vaginosis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis we found in a family planning clinic was similar to those that have been reported in developed countries whereas it seems to be higher than other national studies. We must emphasize the importance of an accurate diagnose and a suitable treatment to prevent subsequent complications.