Biological, Clinical, and Sociobehavioral Factors Associated with Disproportionate Burden of Bacterial Vaginosis in the United States: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Background:Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common gynecological infection characterized by reduced lactic acid-producing bacteria and increased anerobic bacteria in the vaginal microbiome, is associated with adverse health outcomes. Methods:A PubMed search for English-language articles about BV in the USA and factors contributing to disparities in BV risk, with an emphasis on the role of the vaginal microbiome, published from August 2012 to August 2022, identified 760 articles. Results:Among the 52 articles meeting the prespecified criteria, BV prevalence varied among different populations and disproportionately impacted Black women (49–51%), Hispanic ethnicity (32–43%), and women of reproductive age (30%). Differences in microbial ecology and host genetics were important factors underlying these disparities. Colonization of BV-associated bacteria was more common in women of color than in non-Hispanic White women. Other factors linked with disproportionate burden included multiple/same-sex partners, obesity, immunosuppression, and C-section birth. Conclusions:BV prevalence was multifactorial, with some populations having higher prevalence rates and distinctive microbiome profiles that may predispose them to the condition. BV treatment and recurrence prevention were challenging due to the complex interplay of biological, clinical, and sociobehavioral factors. Understanding these disparate risk factors is critical to reducing BV burden.