Healthcare-associated bacterial vaginosis after gynecological surgeries and associated adverse outcome in Ukraine

Abstract

The aim: To determine the prevalence of healthcare-associated bacterial vaginosis after gynecological surgeries and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes in Ukraine. Materials and methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2021 in eleven medical centers from eight regions of Ukraine. Vaginal cultures were obtained preoperatively from 3,502 women undergoing gynecologic surgery. Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis is based on the Nugent and Amsel criteria. Results: Healthcare-associated bacterial vaginosis (HA BV) was diagnosed in 1,498 of 3,502 women, giving a prevalence rate of 42.8%. HA BV was significantly associated with preterm birth (risk ratio [RR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–4.98), miscarriage (RR, 6.11; 95% CI, 3.22–14.11), low birth weight (RR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.29–7.94), and premature rupture of membranes (RR, 6.75; 95% CI, 3.11–14.67). Conclusions: The HA BV after gynecological surgeries prevalence is high in Ukraine, with a concomitant adverse pregnancy outcome, including preterm birth, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and miscarriage. A significant number of cases of bacterial vaginosis are associated with long-term use of antibiotics to treat post-operative infections.