Vaginal discharge syndrome during pregnancy: associated risk factors

Abstract

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with vaginal discharge syndrome in pregnant women. Methods: Prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional and case-control study, which included 68 pregnant women, attended from September 2021 to January 2022 at the Sergio Bernales Hospital, in Lima, divided into two groups, 48 cases, with vaginal discharge syndrome and20 controls without it. Avalidated questionnaire was used, whichincludedinformation on the presence and characteristics of vaginal discharge, as well as the associated factors. Results: The prevalence of vaginal discharge syndrome was 70.6 %. Being under 18 years old (OR: 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.28 - 1.89]), having anemia (OR: 1.38, 95 % CI: 1.06 - 1.80), having started sexual intercourse early (OR: 2.33, CI 95 %: 1.21 – 4.49), history of pathological vaginal discharge (PR: 1.46, 95 % CI: 1.08 – 1.97), urinary tract infection (PR: 1.46, 95 % CI: 1.08– 1.97) and daily intimate hygiene (PR: 2.35, 95 % CI: 1.04 - 5.30) were factors significantly associated with the presence of pathological vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Conclusion: This study found that certain personal and gyneco-obstetric factors, just as behavioral ones increased the risk of presenting vaginal discharge syndrome in pregnancy.