缅北禁地

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Chlorhexidine digluconate and Povidone-iodine by their ability to reduce bacterial count after their use. Chlorhexidine digluconate and Povidone-iodine were used for perineal washing by two groups comprising of 9 female commercial sex workers. They were instructed not to bath or wash their external genitalia on the day of sample collection. Swabbing was done before and immediately after washing with the solutions. Each respondent was given 5 ml of the solution and divided it for three washings, alternately rinsing with water, applying the solution until all of the solution is consumed, and taking particular attention to the perineum. There was no time elapsed between times of application and rinsing of the solution. Samples were then brought to the laboratory for serial dilution and pour plating.

Results showed that both perineal wash were able to produce a great reduction in bacterial count after their use. However, only the mean difference in the bacterial count before and after using Chlorhexidine was found to be statistically significant. This may be attributed to the property of Chlorhexidine to have its antimicrobial activity take effect almost immediately after its application, whereas the efficacy of Povidone-iodine depends on the time elapsed between applications and rinsing before swabbing. Furthermore, the mean difference in the bacterial count after using Chlorhexidine and Povidone-iodine was statistically insignificant may lead us to the conclusion that we have only insufficient number of subjects to come up with results to be statistically significant.