Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Women Diagnosed with Vaginal Infection

Abstract

Vaginal infections (VI) are a global health problem for women at reproductive age. These infections threat the women’s health and have negative impacts on their quality of life (QOL). Aim of the study: Assess the risk factors and quality of life in women diagnosed with vaginal infections. Subjects and methods: Research design: was cross sectional design. Setting: was conducted among women attend obstetric and gynecological    outpatient clinics at Zagazig University hospitals. The study sample included all accessible of women aged 20-45 years. Tool of data collection: Two tools were used: first: A structured interviewing questionnaire and the second tool quality of life measuring scale.  Results revealed that the vaginal douching is the main risk factor, (92,2)%  studied women were using vaginal douching, followed by  history of previous vaginal infection(80,9%). And the infected women with vaginal infection were most likely to have effect on emotional well-being and role limitation due to physical problem with a mean ± SD (62.1±11.5 and 59.3±16.8 respectively).As well as mean of Physical functioning (pf) for these studied women (51.7±17.4).Conclusion: The study finding concluded that bacterial and fungal infections are the most common cause of infectious vaginitis. Besides, risk factors associated with vaginal infection include: previous vaginal infection, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptive, recent antibiotics/steroid, and STDs, in addition to there are a relationship between vaginal infection and quality of life in infected women with vaginal infection. The study also revealed that the disease has a strong impact on patient’s usual daily activities. Recommendation: This study recommended that Design an educational programs for women about vaginal infection, symptoms of each type, risk factors, complication & how mange it and effect of vaginal infection on quality of life on large sample. Further research is recommended to study the effect of an educational program for the management of vaginal infection