Bacterial vaginosis and smoking

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate if there is an association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and smoking. This cohort study included 956 randomly chosen, apparently healthy women at 2 family planning and one youth clinic. Of the 956 women, 131 women fulfilled the criteria for BV and the remaining 825 served as a control group. BV, BV-associated bacteria and gynaecological infections were diagnosed. Structured personal interviews concerning, smoking, alcohol and drug habits, sexual behaviour and reproductive history were made. Before and after adjustment for possible confounding factors, smoking, but not alcohol and drug use, was significantly associated with BV. Of the women with BV 52% were smokers versus 32% in the control group. Age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for smokers was 2.3 before, and 3.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-6.9) after adjustment for sexual risk behaviour, reproductive history, and alcohol use. There was also a significant dose-response relationship between BV and smoking habits. The data suggest that there might be a causal association between BV and smoking.