Comparative Study of Vaginal Microbial Profiles Among Women Seeking Infertility Treatment And Contraceptive Services In Ghana

Objective: The study examined differences in vaginal microbial profile of women with infertility and those seeking contraception in Ghana. Methodology: This multi-centered comparative cross-sectional study collected sociodemographic data, and high vaginal swabs (HVS) of women with infertility and those seeking contraception at two Centers in Accra, Ghana. HVS samples underwent microscopy, Gram-staining and culture-and-sensitivity testing using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. Patients with recent vaginal infection or antibiotic therapy were excluded. Data was analyzed using SPSS-2020. Associations between the two groups and their vaginal microbiological results were tested using multiple logistic regression and reported as odds ratios (OR). Confidence interval was set at 95%, and p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 172 women, comprising 112 seeking fertility treatment and 60 seeking contraception, participated in the study. Following culture, 40.0% (70/172) participants had no bacterial growth, 26.2% (45/172) candida species, (6.4%)11/172 Lactobacilli, 5.8% (10/172) gram negative rods, 1.2% (2/172) Proteus, 0.60% (1/172) Streptococcus agalactiae and 19.2% (33/172) had Staphylococcus aureus. There was no statistically significant difference regarding presence of abnormal vaginal microbiome between the women seeking contraception and those seeking infertility treatment. (OR 2.546, CI:0.775-8.364). Conclusion: No significant differences were found between the vaginal microbial profile of women seeking contraception and those seeking fertility treatment. Candida species were the most prevalent microbe across both groups.