The Impact of Syndromic Management of Vaginal Discharge Syndrome on Adverse Birth Outcomes in Botswana
Abstract Background Vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS) is a common clinical diagnosis during pregnancy in Botswana, treated with broad spectrum antibiotics using a syndromic approach. We evaluated associations between the syndromic management of VDS and adverse birth outcomes. Methods The Tsepamo Study performs birth outcomes surveillance at government hospitals throughout Botswana. Obstetric record data collected from August 2014–March 2019 were analyzed. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare proportions of maternal characteristics and infant outcomes. To avoid immortal time bias, all analyses were conducted among women who presented to care prior to 24 weeks gestation, with VDS categorized as present or absent by 24 weeks gestation. Log-binomial regression models were generated to determine associations between treated VDS and infant outcomes. Results VDS was diagnosed in 36,731 (30.7%) pregnant women, of whom 33,328 (90.7%) received antibiotics. Adjusted analyses yielded a harmful association between treated VDS and very preterm delivery (aRR= 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.21). This association remained when restricting to women with VDS who received the recommended combined treatment regimen. Sensitivity analyses produced non-significant associations when women with treated VDS were compared to women without VDS who received antibiotics for other indications. Conclusions Syndromic treatment for VDS is common among pregnant women in Botswana, and the majority receive antibiotics in pregnancy. Although analyses of VDS occurring later in pregnancy are precluded by immortal time bias, a modest association between treated VDS and very preterm delivery was observed among women diagnosed with VDS by 24 weeks gestation.