Survey on Intravaginal Practices among Women of Reproductive Age at the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Yaounde: Association with Bacterial Vaginosis Caused by Gardnerella Vaginalis and Mobiluncus

Background and objectives: Intravaginal practices are quite common among women worldwide and expose to bacterial vaginosis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of intravaginal practices in women of childbearing age who came for consultation at the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Yaoundé and to determine its association with bacterial vaginosis. Methods:We conducted a prospective and cross-sectional study among 212 women from April 12 to July 30, 2021. Each participant was submitted to a questionnaire and was taken a vaginal swab. For the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, we made a flame-fixed slide smear and then stained by Gram's method. We classified the vaginal flora into four types according to Thomason and to make the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Results:The prevalence of intravaginal practices was 54.7% among participants. The dominant type of intravaginal practices was scraping the vaginal walls with fingers (85.34%), followed by vaginal douching (6.03%). Women aged 26 to 33 were more adept at intravaginal practices (36.20%) followed by women aged 18 to 25 (34.48%) but the difference was not significant. Regarding the level of education, university-level women were more represented concerning the intravaginal practices (52.58%) followed by secondary school women (39.65%) but the difference observed was not significant. 38.79% and 1.72% of women performing intravaginal practices suffered from Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus infections respectively against 37.5% and 4.16% of Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus infections respectively in those who did not performe intravaginal practices; however, intravaginal practices was not statistically related to Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus and HIV infection (p=0.847;p=0.286, p=0.296) respectively). Conclusion:These intravaginal practices are common among women and were not statistically related to bacterial vaginosis flora or HIV infection. Women should be educated about maintaining their vaginal cavity to avoid vaginal infections