English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection among women of reproductive age. Recent research shows women often feel dissatisfied with the management of BV in general practice. Few data are available on general practitioners (GPs) management of BV in Australia. This study explored GPs views and practices in the management of BV. Methods: A pilot qualitative study was undertaken in which eight GPs were purposively recruited to participate in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: GPs did not consider BV a serious condition, had poor levels of knowledge around BV-related sequelae and risk factors, used varying and inconsistent diagnostic and treatment practices, and rarely asked women about self-management of symptoms. Most GPs recognised BV could have some psychosocial impact on women’s lives; those with an interest in sexual health tended to be more empathetic. Major barriers to the improved management of BV in general practice included a lack of time, a lack of training and knowledge, and discomfort discussing sexual health issues particularly among male GPs. Conclusion: Past research has shown women want more sensitive and consistent management of BV in general practice. BV management in general practice could be enhanced through improved awareness of BV-related risk factors and sequelae and women’s use of self-help remedies. Women need well-informed, evidence-based advice around optimal management and risks for BV. *Correspondence to: Jade Bilardi, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Australia, Tel: +61 3 9035 5511; Email: jbilardi@mshc.org.au Received: April 08, 2018; Accepted: April 18, 2018; Published: April 20, 2018 Introduction Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection among women of reproductive age, affecting 10-30% of women in developed countries [1,2]. While it remains unclear whether BV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), there is strong evidence that sexual activity is associated with an increased risk of BV. Sexual risk factors include penile-vaginal sex, a female sexual partner with BV, multiple male sexual partners and lack of condom use, and risky lifestyle practices including vaginal douching [2-4]. Adverse sequelae associated with BV include pre-term labour, miscarriages, low-birth weight [5,6], and an increased risk of HIV and other STIs [7,8]. Previous studies have also shown BV has significant psychosocial impacts on women’s quality of life, in particular their self-esteem and sex lives [9]. Current Australian STI management guidelines [10] recommend the work-up for women presenting with vaginal discharge include history-taking, physical examination and a high vaginal swab (HVS) for collection of specimens for microscopy and gram-staining. Diagnosis of BV is based on the presence of at least three out of four Amsel criteria, including clinical findings of a thin, white, homogenous discharge, vaginal pH>4.5, a positive whiff test and clue cells on saline wet mount [11]. Metronidazole remains first-line for BV management in non-pregnant patients [11]. Past studies have shown that primary care physicians generally have poor levels of knowledge around BV-related risk factors and physical sequelae, seldom follow the “classic approach” [12] for diagnosing vaginal symptoms [13-15], infrequently use Amsel criteria [15] and often treat vaginal symptoms empirically [16]. Clinicians also often view BV as a trivial condition [17] and do not recognise the psychosocial impact it can have on women’s lives [9]. Women’s concerns with BV management in primary care include GPs’ poor knowledge of its aetiology, disparities in management advice and insensitive attitudes [18]. Data on primary care management of BV in Australia is lacking. The aim of this pilot study was to explore Australian GPs’ knowledge and practices in the management of BV, to inform and enhance care of this condition. Methods A qualitative descriptive (QD) approach was used to explore GPs’ knowledge and practices in the management of BV. QD is a pragmatic approach, useful for exploratory healthcare studies with limited time and resources, aimed at gaining knowledge around a topic of clinical interest [19]. GPs were purposively recruited between March and May 2017 to participate in semi-structured interviews. They were recruited via the Department of General Practices’ (University of Melbourne) Victorian Primary Care Practice-based Research Network (VicReN) Toh J (2018) Australian general practitioners views and practices in the management of bacterial vaginosis: A pilot qualitative study Volume 1(1): 1-2 Fam Med Care, 2018 doi: 10.15761/FMC.1000103 and snowball sampling methods. We aimed to recruit a diverse range of GPs including males and females of various ages and clinical experience, working in metropolitan and regional/rural areas, and with and without a stated interest in sexual health. To be eligible, GPs had to be working in general practice in Victoria, possess good comprehension of spoken and written English and be willing to voluntarily participate in an interview which would be audio-recorded. Ethics approval for this study was granted by the Department of General Practice Human Ethics Advisory Group, the University of Melbourne, ID 1647908.1.