Cervicovaginal Infections and Coinfections and Their Significance through the Papanicolaou Test: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women.

INTRODUCTION

Cervicovaginal infections continue to be a public health problem for the female population. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of infections and coinfections diagnosed by cervical cytology in pregnant and non-pregnant patients at the San Bartolomé Hospital, Lima, Peru.

METHODS

An observational and cross-sectional study was conducted. A sample of 284 cervical reports from pregnant and non-pregnant women was included and screened by the Pap test during the period 2021-2023.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of cervicovaginal infections was 52.8%, for pregnant women 59.2% and for non-pregnant women 46.5%, with statistically significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). Bacterial vaginosis (43%) and Candida spp. predominated (26.8%), showing significant differences (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed with other cervicovaginal infections (p > 0.05). The general prevalence of coinfections was 13.4%, for the pregnant group it was 19.7% and for the non-pregnant group it was 7.0%, observing differences with statistical significance between the groups (p < 0.05). The most predominant coinfection was bacterial vaginosis accompanied by Candida spp. (13.4%), finding significant differences (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed with other cervicovaginal coinfections (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is a higher prevalence of cervicovaginal infections and coinfections in pregnant women in contrast to non-pregnant women, observing statistically significant differences by means of the Pap test.