Targeted Counseling to Prevent Occurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis
Abstract
Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common gynecological infection among reproductive-aged women, and the most common complaint among deployed women. Of the many women affected, at least half will experience a relapse. Without treatment, BV leads to anarray of physical and psychological complications. Limited studies show that behavioral modification to improve self-care behaviors may reduce frequency of acquiring BV. Purpose: Determine incidence of BV, examine current practice among women's health providers, develop a behavioral education intervention to target women ages 18-40, and create educational resource in efforts of reducing occurrence of BV. Project Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate incidence of BV and assess if management practices coincided with current best evidence. A behavioral change intervention was designed from current evidence and application of The Health Belief Model. Providers were educated on best management methods, while patients received individual counseling, followed by dissemination of an evidence-based educational handout during routine clinic visits. Post-intervention analysis was done using SPSS software and results disseminated to leadership and clinic staff. Analysis of Results: A total of 227 female beneficiaries met inclusion criteria. Prior to intervention, there was an incidence rate of 2.95% and 22.4 BV cases per provider. At the three-month follow-up, the incidence rate for BV was 2.88% and 12.8 BV cases per provider, thus representing a 43% reduction in BV. This reduction increased clinic appointment access by five days. Organizational Impact: implementing targeted behavioral counseling and dissemination of self-care resources empowers women to take efficacious health actions that will reduce occurrence of BV. Timely diagnosis, treatment, and knowledge awareness of BV prevents morbidity associated with misdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1128173
Entities
People
- Monique N. Battle-stallworth
- Tialicka Johnson
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences