Table 3 Summary of studies reporting on the social impact of BV.
Study population | Sample size | Definition of (recurrent) BV | Study design | Major findings | Study ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NP | 2494 | Nugent | Quantitative | OR low social integration – BV prevalence: 1.10 (95% CI 0.8–1.4), p = 0.74 | Patel et al. 2006 [26] |
NP, symptomatic BV | 139 | Nugent OR Nugent score 3–6 and ≥ 3 Amsel criteria | Quantitative | 93% and 51% of women experienced a mild-severe impact on their everyday life respectively before treatment and after treatment. | Bradshaw et al. 2006 [11] |
Women with recurrent BV | 20 | ≥ 2 proven episodes using Amsel criteria | Qualitative/ quantitative | Social activities were affected in 80% of women and job was affected in 60% of women. 95% of the women felt uncomfortable around others. | Payne et al. 2010 [27] |
Women with recurrent BV | 35 | ≥ 2 self-reported episodes per year | Qualitative | Only a few women reported feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable at worka when having BV whereas 4 out of 6 sex workers reported a substantial impact. | Bilardi et al. 2013 [7] |