Prevalence of vaginitis in women admitted to a training and research hospital

Prevalence of Vaginitis in Women Admitted to a Training and Research Hospital Vaginitis is a common gynecological condition, and its true prevalence varies due to factors such as high rates of asymptomatic cases, self-diagnosis, and errors in treatment. In this study, the demographic and clinical characteristics of 10,472 female patients who presented with complaints of vaginitis to an Education and Research Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Upon examining the age distribution of the patients, it was determined that the patients who applied in 2019 were between the ages of 22 and 53; those who applied in 2020 were between the ages of 21 and 52; those who applied in 2021 were between the ages of 20 and 51; and those who applied in 2022 were between the ages of 19 and 50. The average age of the patients was found to be 34.64±8.86. When examining the years of examination, it was found that 35.5% of the patients were examined in 2019, 18.8% in 2020, 21% in 2021, and 24.6% in 2022. It was observed that a smear test was recommended for 4.9% of the patients, and their average age was 39.88±7.14. It was found that an HPV test was requested for 0.8% of the patients, with an average age of 40.27±6.45 years. The study determined that the frequent cases of vaginitis in the 18-49 age range were consistent with the literature. The prevalence and causes of vaginal infections are multifaceted. Since it is a significant public health issue commonly seen in women and, if left untreated, can lead to chronic conditions, infertility, and cancer, there is a need to increase studies in the literature evaluating the prevalence of vaginitis. Keywords: Vaginitis, Prevalence, Women