%0 Journal Article
%T Pattern of Vaginal Discharge and Associated Demographic Characteristics among Female Patients Seen at a Gynaecology Clinic in Northern Nigeria
%A Mohammed-Durosinlorun Amina
%A Muhammad-Idris Zainab
%A Abubakar Amina
%A Ojabo Augustine
%A Adesiyun Adebiyi
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 2
%N 12
%P 1-8
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2015
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1102231
%X Background: Vaginal discharge is a common gynecological symptom seen among
women provoking anxiety and fear of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods:
This was a hospital based retrospective study done from November 2008 to March 2013.
Records of 969 patients presenting to the gynaecology clinic with symptoms of ˇ°vaginal
dischargeˇ± were retrieved and relevant data on demographics, discharge characteristics
and frequency, associated risk factors and symptoms, as well as investigations were
retrieved. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences
(SPSS) software, version 15. Relevant descriptive and bivariate analysis was done.
Level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Majority
of the patients (54.9%) were aged between 21 and 30 years, and the mean age was
26.7 ˇŔ 7.9. More than half (53.3%) were of the Hausa ethnic group, Muslims (82.6%)
and housewives (51.9%). In terms of colour only 28.2% was characterized; more commonly
as whitish (16.9%) or milky (7.7%). About 560 patients (57.8%) had additional associated
symptoms. The commonest organism cultured was <i>Candida </i>species in 252 patients (26%), followed by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (15.6%) and <i>Streptococcus </i>species (0.8%). When compared,
those with additional symptoms were more likely to present with whitish vaginal
discharge, candidiasis and recurrence of symptoms (p &lt; 0.05), than those who
had no additional symptoms. Conclusions: Vaginal discharge is a common symptom among
women but may not always be pathological. Candidiasis was the commonest infectious
cause in this population though the symptom needs to be properly characterized,
and investigated when required.
%K Pattern
%K Vaginal Discharge
%K Northern Nigeria
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/3154074