Culture- and PCR-based detection of BV associated microbiological profile of the removed IUDs and correlation with the time period of IUD in place and the presence of the symptoms of genital tract infection.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) may lead to biofilm formation on the surface. The aim of this study was to perform the culture- and PCR-based detection of bacteria/fungi from the biofilm of the removed IUDs with different time periods in place. METHODS: For a 2-year period, 100 IUD users were involved in the study. In the majority of the cases, IUDs were removed because of the patients' complaints. Beside the aerobic and anaerobic culture, species-specific PCR was carried out to detect Chlamydia trachomatis Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the "signalling" bacteria of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in the biofilm removed by vortexing. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of IUDs were used for more than 5 years, 32% were removed after 10 years in place. In 28% of the IUDs ≥ 3 different anaerobic species typically found in BV with or without other aerobic bacteria were found by culture method. Streptococcus agalactiae (14%) and Actinomyces spp. (18%) were also isolated frequently. The PCR detection of Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Mobiluncus spp. and Ureaplasma urealyticum were 62%, 32%, 23% and 16%, respectively. Seventy-six percent of the IUDs were PCR positive at least for one "signalling" bacterium of BV. C. trachomatis was detected by PCR only in one IUD together with other aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, while the presence of N. gonorrhoeae could not be confirmed from the biofilm of these removed devices. CONCLUSION: Sexually transmitted infections (STI)-related bacteria-except for one patient-were not detected on the IUDs removed due to different reasons including clinical symptoms of infection. Presence of any BV "signaling" anaerobic bacteria were detected in a much higher number in the biofilm of the removed IUDs by PCR-based method compared to use culture method (76 versus 28 samples). Different aerobic and anaerobic bacteria colonized an equal number of IUDs, independent of the time-period in place, which may be relevant, if the IUD is removed due to planned pregnancy or due to a fear from upper genital tract infection caused by anaerobic bacteria including Actinomyces spp.

Knowledge and attitudes of female university students on menstrual cycle and contraception.

Socioeconomic changes, as well as the development of new contraceptive modalities may influence women's preferences in the selection of a method of contraception. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, opinions and attitudes of female university students regarding the menstrual cycle, sexual health and contraception. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 2572 female university students in Hungary, Romania and Serbia, between November 2009 and January 2011. A higher proportion of students of health sciences than students of other faculties had appropriate knowledge of the fertile period within a menstrual cycle: 86.0%, 71.5% (p = .02) and 61.1% vs. 71.9% (p < .001), 59.8% and 43.2% (p < .001) in Hungary, Romania and Serbia, respectively. Overall, more than 69% of the female university students believed in the need for monthly menstruation in order to be healthy; however, merely 30 to 40% of them wished to have monthly bleeding. In general, the respondents were aware of the importance of menstruation in relation to sexual health; however, they wished to suppress the menstruation-related symptoms. Differences in the knowledge and attitudes of female university students of the three assessed countries may be explained in part by cultural differences, and in part by the nature of their studies.

Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding over-the-counter emergency contraception in South-Eastern Hungary.

OBJECTIVES: In Hungary, the one-dose levonorgestrel-only emergency contraception pill (ECP) is available only with prescription. There is a perceived need among both doctors and women to introduce ECP over-the-counter (OTC). The aim of this study was to gain information--which, as in most geographical areas, was lacking so far--on the knowledge and attitude of pharmacists relating to OTC use of ECP in South-Eastern Hungary. METHODS: A questionnaire survey with 22 questions was conducted among the members of the Chamber of Pharmacists in the three-county area. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned by 108 pharmacists. The vast majority (97%) of the respondents were aware of the dosing schedule of the available ECP. Nearly three quarters (73.4%) of the pharmacists estimated the effectiveness of ECP to be 80%. However, the knowledge around side effects, mode of action and effect on the menstrual cycle varied. Fifty-five per cent of the pharmacists would prefer OTC distribution of ECP. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in Hungary about knowledge and awareness of pharmacists regarding ECP. Most respondents were reasonably informed but further training courses for pharmacists are recommended before introducing OTC access to ECP in Hungary.