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Gynaecologist cautions pregnant women against untreated vaginal infection

By Adaku Onyenucheya
02 May 2019   |   3:22 am
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Ogun State, Adewale Sule-Odu has warned pregnant women against untreated vaginal infection and douching as it could pose danger for the foetus. Sule-Odu stated this during the presentation of research findings with the theme “Vaginal Microflora in Pregnant Women Attending Olabisi Onabanjo University…

Pregnant woman. Photo/pexels

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Ogun State, Adewale Sule-Odu has warned pregnant women against untreated vaginal infection and douching as it could pose danger for the foetus.

Sule-Odu stated this during the presentation of research findings with the theme “Vaginal Microflora in Pregnant Women Attending Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital and the implication on Foetal Outcomes”, explained that the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis is high in pregnant women in Nigeria. He explained that every woman has normal vaginal discharge, which is expected to be clear, scanty, odourless and not associated with itching, saying using soap, and all forms of solutions to clean the vaginal, are not necessary, even after having sexual intercourse as the vagina is a self-cleansing organ.

The professor also noted that women, especially the pregnant ones, should desist from other unhealthy habits, such as dipping hands into the vaginal as bacterial infection could be transmitted from hands into the vagina.

While presenting the findings, Sule-Odu, who was the principal investigator in the research, disclosed that pregnant women should visit the hospital once they discover vaginal infection for proper diagnosis, which will ensure they receive the right treatment, adding that an untreated vaginal infection could portend dangers for the foetus.

He noted that the treatment of bacterial vaginosis positive women in pregnancy is associated with good foetal outcome, adding that antenatal screening for bacterial vaginosis should be included in the routine ante-natal investigations.

While speaking on Klovinal, a product by Seagreen Pharmaceuticals, which was used in the course of the research, Sule-Odu said it proved positive in the treatment of vaginal infections – both fungal and bacterial, such as vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.

The university don who noted that the Klovinal drug, which is suitable for vaginitis, restores a healthy vaginal floral, adding that the product was the only antibiotic that met their requirement when they were in dire need of a product to use in the course of the study.

While commending the principal investigator and his team, on the presentation of the research findings, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, noted that the presentation was an indication that the institution does not joke with research.

According to the VC, who was represented by the deputy vice-chancellor, administration, Prof. Ebun Oduwole, the research study was one of the 19 research proposals approved out of the 22 submitted to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), adding that it’s a giant stride for the university as it has showcased its transparency and accountability when it comes to grants.

“The presentation of this research finding has shown a lot that we are actually utilising the grants based on these findings and we hope to publish this very soon, so for us in the academics, it is either you publish or you perish, and here is an example of good work”, she said.

Also speaking at the event, Brand Manager of Seagreen Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharm. Aje Akinyele, noted that Klovinal is a brand of polyactive pessaries which has a spectrum of antimicrobial activity that covers the three most prevalent forms of vaginitis, which are bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis, making it suitable for empirical or syndromic management of vaginitis including mixed infections.

Speaking further, he noted that Klovinal is a veritably unique product in its category, presenting a paradigm shift in the management of vaginitis, by moving from merely eradicating pathogenic species to a system where microbiological cure is augmented by re-establishing the dominance of the healthy normal flora.

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