IJCRR - 8(10), May, 2016
Pages: 33-36
UTILITY OF PH AND WHIFF TEST FOR SCREENING OF ABNORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN RURAL AREA
Author: Smita S. Damke, Ramesh P. Fule, Neelima S. Tankhiwale
Category: Healthcare
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Abstract:
Three vaginal infections are frequent causes of vaginal discharge: (1) bacterial vaginosis, (2)
vulvovaginal candidiasis, and (3) Trichomoniasis. Simple tool like pH and Whiff test can be carried out without any expertise. This
study was carried out to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of pH test and Whiff test individually and in combination in diagnosis
of abnormal vaginal discharge, considering microscopy as gold standard.
Material and methods: This prospective observational cross sectional study includes 189 women of reproductive age group
with vaginal discharge attending OBGY clinic from September 2010 to May 2012. Both pregnant and non-pregnant women were
included in the study with chief complaint of vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge were collected for determining pH, to perform
Whiff test and for Gram staining and microscopy.
Results: Of 189 women 86 (45.5%) were diagnosed to have bacterial vaginosis by applying Nugent’s criteria as a gold standard.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis and Trichomoniasis was found in 61(32.27%) and 24(12.69%) respectively. The pH ? 4.5 was recorded
in 136 (71.95%) and Whiff test positive in 120 (63.49%) of women with abnormal vaginal discharge.
Conclusion: Simple tools like pH test and Whiff test can be used as a reliable test for determining abnormal vaginal discharge.
Keywords: Abnormal vaginal discharge, pH test, Whiff test
Citation:
Smita S. Damke, Ramesh P. Fule, Neelima S. Tankhiwale. UTILITY OF PH AND WHIFF TEST FOR SCREENING OF ABNORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN RURAL AREA International Journal of Current Research and Review. 8(10), May, 33-36
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