Introduction Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent vaginal infection which poses a significant public health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to its association with HIV, other STIs and several gynaecological and obstetrical complications. The aim of this study was to explore the underlying and proximate factors associated with BV and the relationships between them. Materials and Methods This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the data collected during the Microbial Development Program (MDP) 301 trial. Logistic regression and structural equation modelling were used to test for the associations between BV and the explanatory variables and to test for the direct, indirect and total effects of the variables on BV. Results A total of 2 470 women were included in the analysis and of these 2 203 were aged 40 and below. The majority of them were unemployed at 72% and 51,8% were in the lowest socio-economic level. The baseline prevalence of BV was 40.5%. In the logistic regression, high socio-economic level (AOR=1.66; 95% CI 1.04-2.64) and using a condom during their last sexual encounter (AOR 0.82; 95% CI 0.69-0.97) were associated with BV infection. The STIs significantly associated with BV infection were: Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2) (AOR=1.31; 95% CI 1.10-1.56), trichomoniasis (AOR=2.68; 95% CI 1.97-3.64) and chlamydia infection (AOR 2.02; 95% CI 1.61-2.62). In the structural equation modelling (SEM) high socio-economic status had a positive direct effect on BV infection (beta=0.12, OR=1.14).Condom use during the last sex act had a negative direct effect on BV (beta=-0.043, OR=0.96). The presence of T.vaginalis, HSV2 or chlamydia infection had significant positive effects on BV infection. Conclusions Sexual behavioural factors and the presence of STIs were significantly associated with BV. The SEM analysis showed the interaction of contraceptive use and sexual behavioural factors. No interaction between the STIs and sexual behaviour could be demonstrated in this study.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.

Yuan, Qin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-119). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.III / Publications --- p.V / List of Abbreviations --- p.VI / List of Figures --- p.VII / List of Tables --- p.VIII / Abstract in English --- p.IX / Abstract in Chinese --- p.XII / Table of Contents --- p.XIII / Chapter CHAPTER1 I --- NTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- What is telemedicine --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- What is telepathology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Types of telepathology system --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Main events in the development of telepathology --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Diagnostic accuracy in telepathology and telecytology --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Applications of telepathology --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.4.a --- Remote primary diagnosis --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.4.b --- Remote expert consultation --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2.4.c --- "Image libraries, databases and archiving" --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.4.d --- Quality assurance --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.4.e --- Remote teaching and training --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3 --- Technical aspects of telepathology --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Image presentation --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Image acquisition and display --- p.25 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Image compression --- p.27 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Networking and line connections --- p.29 / Chapter 1.3.4.a --- Public (analog) telephone network --- p.29 / Chapter 1.3.4.b --- Integrated services digital network (ISDN) --- p.30 / Chapter 1.3.4.c --- Computer network --- p.30 / Chapter 1.3.4.d --- Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) --- p.31 / Chapter 1.4 --- Legal and ethical aspects --- p.32 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Licensure of the facility --- p.33 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Licensure of the pathologist --- p.33 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Accreditation --- p.34 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- The electronic medical record: privacy --- p.35 / Chapter 1.4.5 --- Malpractice liability --- p.36 / Chapter 1.4.6 --- Reimbursement --- p.38 / Chapter 1.4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.38 / Chapter 1.5 --- Telemedicine and telepathology in China --- p.40 / Chapter 1.6 --- Cytopathology practice in China --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER2 --- OBJECTIVES OF STUDY --- p.46 / Chapter CHAPTER3 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1 --- Case materials --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- Static image capture and display --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3 --- Static telecytology study --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4 --- Web-based tutorial program --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Pre-tutorial evaluation --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Cytology tutorial --- p.62 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Post-tutorial evaluation --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Data analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 3.5 --- Dynamic telecytology study --- p.68 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Equipment --- p.68 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Trial design --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.2a --- Telecytology diagnosis --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.2b --- Light microscopy diagnosis --- p.73 / Chapter 3.5.2c --- Data analysis --- p.74 / Chapter CHAPTER4 --- RESULTS --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1 --- General information about participating cytology laboratories --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2 --- Static telecytology study --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Telecytology diagnostic agreement --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Confidence of telecytology diagnosis --- p.80 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- "The acceptance of the image quality, time required for each case" --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3 --- Web-based program on cervical cytology --- p.84 / Chapter 4.4 --- Dynamic telecytology study --- p.86 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Diagnostic accuracy --- p.86 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Time studies --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Diagnostic certainty --- p.89 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Image quality --- p.91 / Chapter CHAPTER5 --- DISCUSSION --- p.92 / Chapter 5.1 --- Static image telecytology study linking 14 Mainland China hospitals --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2 --- Problems encountered in setting up links with Mainland China --- p.97 / Chapter 5.3 --- Web-based tutorial programme for remote teaching --- p.100 / Chapter 5.4 --- Dynamic image telecytology study for immediate diagnosis at a distance --- p.103 / Chapter 5.5 --- Limitations of this study --- p.105 / Chapter 5.6 --- Concluding remarks --- p.108 / REFERENCES --- p.112