MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF LEUCORRHOEA IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP.

Background: Leucorrhoea or vaginal discharge is one of the very common problem or complaint among female of reproductive age group (15-45) attending to Gynecology and Venereology outpatient department and it is associated with STI/HIV and adverse birth out comes. Objective of the study was isolation identification and to assess the frequency of occurrence of various microbial agents. Materials and Methods: Between July 2023 to December 2023, 125 sexually active women (15-45) age were enrolled from two reproductive health clinics (Gynecology and Venereology) in Government General Hospital, Guntur. The women underwent an interview followed by physical examination. Vaginal swabs are taken and processed for confirmatory diagnosis of Bacterial vaginosis, trichomonal vaginitis and candidal vulvo vaginitis. Results: Among the study group of 125 women, majority of women belongs to urban area (70.4%), low socio-economic group 66.4%, illiterates 62.4% and 21-30 years of age (27%). Among the study group 30.4% were having bacterial vaginosis, 22.4% have vulvo vaginal candidiasis, and 10.4% have vaginal trichomoniasis. Conclusion: Microbial infections of lower genital tract are very common in sexually active women in reproductive age group. Nonspecific vaginosis mostly associated with Gardenella vaginosis, specific vaginosis with Trichomonas vaginosis, candiasis are very frequent. These infections in pregnancy cause adverse birth outcomes. Early and proper diagnosis and timely treatment of infected women including sexual partners is essential in cases of vaginal infections which requires laboratory assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]