Prevalence of vaginal infections with bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans among pregnant women at the Port Moresby General Hospital Antenatal Clinic.

A clinico-sociodemographic and microbiological survey was carried out at the Port Moresby General Hospital Antenatal Clinic to determine the prevalences of bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans vaginal infections in pregnancy and to examine if the infections had any association with some suspected sociodemographic risk factors. The study was carried out between December 1990 and January 1991. Of 206 consecutive subjects surveyed, 79 (38%) had symptomatic infection. However, on speculum examination, abnormal discharge was seen in 188 (91%). 118 (57%) had microbiologically confirmed infection. The prevalences of the individual infections were T. vaginalis 19%, C. albicans 23% and bacterial vaginosis 23%. Combined infection, i.e. two infections occurring together in the same subject, was uncommon. None of the infections had an association with any of the sociodemographic characteristics studied. Of the 118 positive subjects, 52 (44%) complained of vaginal discharge and 55 (47%) complained of pruritus.