Table 1.
Baseline descriptive characteristics and longitudinal frequency of vaginal flora and vaginal symptoms by lower, middle, and upper tertiles of the longitudinal prevalence of BV
| Lower | Middle | Upper | p-valuea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (n = 211) | 71 | 70 | 70 | - |
| Baseline characteristicsb | ||||
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 25.2 (6.5) | 25.7 (6.3) | 24.4 (6.4) | 0.50 |
| Age groups | ||||
| 14–19 | 13 (18.3) | 16 (22.9) | 21 (30.0) | |
| 20–29 | 38 (53.5) | 36 (51.4) | 34 (48.6) | |
| 30–39 | 20 (28.1) | 18 (25.7) | 15 (21.4) | 0.58 |
| Mean (SD) age at first sex (years) | 16.1 (2.2) | 15.5 (1.8) | 15.4 (1.9) | 0.07 |
| Currently married | ||||
| No | 20 (28.1) | 23 (32.9) | 25 (35.7) | 0.63 |
| Yes | 51 (71.8) | 47 (67.1) | 45 (64.3) | |
| Hormonal contraceptive use | ||||
| No | 52 (73.4) | 46 (65.7) | 49 (70.0) | |
| Yes | 14 (19.7) | 18 (25.7) | 14 (20.0) | |
| Pregnant at baseline | 5 (7.0) | 6 (8.6) | 7 (10.0) | 0.85 |
| Sex partners in the past 5 yearsc | ||||
| 1 | 59 (83.1) | 54 (78.3) | 49 (70.0) | |
| 2+ | 12 (16.9) | 15 (21.7) | 21 (30.0) | 0.17 |
| Condom used | ||||
| Never | 44 (62.0) | 47 (67.1) | 41 (58.6) | |
| Inconsistent | 20 (28.1) | 13 (18.6) | 19 (27.1) | |
| Consistent | 7 (9.9) | 10 (14.3) | 10 (14.3) | 0.61 |
| Partner’s circumcision statusd | ||||
| Uncircumcised | 40 (58.8) | 51 (72.9) | 51 (72.9) | |
| Circumcised | 28 (41.2) | 19 (27.1) | 19 (27.1) | 0.13 |
| HIV status | ||||
| Negative | 64 (90.1) | 63 (90.0) | 61 (89.7) | |
| Positive | 7 (9.9) | 7 (10.0) | 7 (10.3) | 0.99 |
| Trichomonas vaginalis | ||||
| Negative | 64 (97.0) | 56 (90.3) | 60 (90.9) | |
| Positive | 2 (3.0) | 6 (9.7) | 6 (9.1) | 0.27 |
| Baseline vaginal flora status | ||||
| Normal | 39 (54.9) | 18 (26.1) | 8 (11.4) | |
| Intermediate | 23 (32.4) | 13 (18.8) | 10 (14.3) | |
| BV | 9 (12.7) | 38 (55.1) | 52 (74.3) | <0.001 |
| 2-year Longitudinal Frequencye | ||||
| Vaginal flora states | ||||
| Bacterial Vaginosis | 7.9 (3.5–12.6) | 37.3 (28.6–45.6) | 69.8 (61.6–85.5) | <0.001 |
| Intermediate Flora | 13.8 (9.6–21.6) | 20.0 (15.1–30.2) | 11.8 (6.8–20.2) | <0.001 |
| Normal Flora | 76.1 (67.9–86.2) | 42.4 (32.1–52.1) | 11.9 (6.2–22.2) | <0.001 |
| Transitions between flora states | 30.1 (22.0–39.2) | 41.9 (33.3–50.8) | 27.8 (17.9–39.0) | <0.001 |
| Vaginal Symptoms | ||||
| Discharge | 0 (0–2.2) | 0 (0–2.3) | 0 (0–2.4) | 0.65 |
| Odor | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–1.1) | 0 (0–0) | 0.23 |
| Treatment for Vaginal Symptoms | 1.6 (0–4.3) | 1.5 (0–5.1) | 1.6 (0–4.5) | 0.82 |
| Vaginal pH > 4.5 | 64.0 (54.3–72.8) | 74.9 (68.2–84.0) | 83.7 (76.0–88.4) | <0.001 |
NOTE: Totals may vary due to missing responses or test results
a
Baseline characteristics are compared using chi-squared or ANOVA tests; longitudinal summary measures are compared using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance with correction for ties
b
Data are presented as n (%) unless specified otherwise, SD = standard deviation
c
One person reported no partners in the past 5 years and was grouped as having 1 partner
d
Most recent male partner
e
Data are presented as median (IQR) percentage of visits, IQR = interquartile range