Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Adverse Outcomes of Bacterial Vaginosis among Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background The existence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy has currently attracted the attention of the scientific community due to its possible association with adverse clinical outcomes. However, the practical implications of BV in pregnant women are still not that well defined. This study aims to critically review and report the prevalence, risk factors, and adverse outcomes of BV among pregnant women. Methods A comprehensive systematic search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases was conducted based on the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Results The search yielded a total of 2237 records; among them, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The results indicated a higher prevalence of BV among the African population. The risk of developing BV during pregnancy was highest among women with multiple sexual partners. Additionally, factors including age, socioeconomic status, unhygienic practices, ethnic background, 2nd trimester, spontaneous abortion, vaginal douching, symptoms, and history of sexually transmitted infections were also associated with a higher prevalence of BV. Overall, 58.3% of the studies reported adverse outcomes during pregnancy which was directly associated with BV. It was found that premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, and low birth weight were the most frequently reported adverse outcomes in pregnant women with BV. Conclusion The high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis necessitates a global surveillance approach to delineate the health risks imposed on both mother and child, and promote cost-effective strategic measures to alleviate the undesired consequences of BV during pregnancy.