Some frequent genital tract infections and related factors in women who admitted to elazig Sara Hatun Obstetric and Gynecology Hospital with the complaint of vaginal discharge

Reproductive tract infections are very common and presents major public health problems in developped and developing countries. This has negative outcomes in womens quality of life as it causes loss of labor force waste of time and fear of developing cancer. Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida species and Trichomonas vaginalis are among to the most common cause of genital tract infectionsThis descriptive study involved a total of 507 volunteered female patients who admitted to the Elazig Sara Hatun Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital due to vaginal discharge. The discharge samples of the patients were analysed using the Affirm VPIII kit. The questionnaire was completed by face-to-face technique and the data were recorded on a computer and statistically analyzed using the X² (chi square) test and Fisher?s Exact test utilizing SPSS 12.0.The mean age of the woman was 33.0 ± 9.3 (16-80 y) of which about 92.5% were aged between 15-49 years. The fertility rate of the participants was 3.44 ±2.08, and the mean number of abortions was 1.52±0.831. The rate of contraception use was 69.8%. No significant correlation was detected between the used contraceptive methods and observed infections. In 213 (42%) of the patients infection agenbt was detected; (Gardrenella vaginalis 31.4%, Candida species 13.6%, Trichomonas vaginalis 2.0%). The rate of infections was higher in women without official marriage certificate than those officially married (p=0.005). Women that their partners who had contagious infections had higher rate of infection (p=0.021). No correlation was detected between the abortions, contraceptive methods used and the infectionsThose with habit of hand washing before going to toilette had lower rate of infection (p=0.038). About 67.1% described proper genital area cleaning method while 86.2% used drying after washing. No significant correlation was detected between the infections and the number of bathing per week. Although not significant, the rate of infectious agent detection in women who do not have bath during menstrual period was higher. No significant correlation was found between the frequency of underwear change and the rate of detected infections (p=0.344).In this study, the rate of infectious agent detection in women who have vaginal discharge was higher. From the study it was determined that personal hygenic behaviour was the most effective determinant of the infectious agents. Genital tract infections can be prevented by basic preventive methods and can be treated by appropriately timed treatment approaches. Diagnosis can be easily made by basic diagnostic methods which easily applied in first stage health institutions and the treatment could be initiated. Education about the prevention from the genital tract infections should be provided in the First and Second Stage Health Institutions.Key words: Genital discharge, genital infection, personal hygenic behaviour