Bacterial vaginosis and Chlamydia trachomatis among pregnant abused and nonabused Hispanic women.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among abused and nonabused pregnant Hispanic women. DESIGN: Retrospective audit of charts of 233 pregnant, abused Hispanic women and 468 pregnant, nonabused Hispanic women. SETTING: Three urban prenatal clinics of a public health department in the southwestern United States. SAMPLE The medical records of 701 pregnant Hispanic women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Diagnosis of BV and/or CT among abused and nonabused pregnant women. RESULTS: Combined prevalence of BV and CT was significantly higher for abused women (z score = 2.55; df = 138; p < .05). There was no significant difference between abused and nonabused women for CT alone (z score = .96; df = 33; p < .05); however, prevalence of BV was significantly higher for abused women (z score = 1.99; df = 104; p < .05). CONCLUSION: In this sample of pregnant Hispanic women prevalence of BV was significantly higher in those who had been abused, indicating the need for targeted screening of all abused pregnant women for BV.