ArticleArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2024
Using unsupervised machine learning to classify behavioral risk markers of bacterial vaginosis.
Article in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
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Abstract
introductionThis study used an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, sidClustering and random forests, to identify clusters of risk behaviors of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge linked to STI and HIV acquisition.
methodsParticipants were 391 cisgender women in Miami, Florida, with a mean of 30.8 (SD = 7.81) years of age; 41.7% identified as Hispanic; 41.7% as Black and 44.8% as White. Participants completed measures of demographics, risk behaviors [sexual, medical, and reproductive history, substance use, and intravaginal practices (IVP)], and underwent collection of vaginal samples; 135 behavioral variables were analyzed. BV was diagnosed using Nugent criteria.
resultsWe identified four clusters, and variables were ranked by importance in distinguishing clusters: Cluster 1: nulliparous women who engaged in IVPs to clean themselves and please sexual partners, and used substances frequently [n = 118 (30.2%)]; Cluster 2: primiparous women who engaged in IVPs using vaginal douches to clean themselves (n = 112 (28.6%)]; Cluster 3: primiparous women who did not use IVPs or substances [n = 87 (22.3%)]; and Cluster 4: nulliparous women who did not use IVPs but used substances [n = 74 (18.9%)]. Clusters were related to BV (p < 0.001). Cluster 2, the cluster of women who used vaginal douches as IVPs, had the highest prevalence of BV (52.7%).
conclusionsMachine learning methods may be particularly useful in identifying specific clusters of high-risk behaviors, in developing interventions intended to reduce BV and IVP, and ultimately in reducing the risk of HIV infection among women.
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