Optimizing The Vaginal Microbiome In African, Caribbean And Other Black (ACB) Women

A cross-sectional study to assess the association of the vaginal microbiome and vaginal immunology with vaginal health in Black women. Vaginal inflammation and a vaginal microbiome defined as molecular BV are each more common in Black women, but these factors may co-exist or be independent of each other. If and how each of them affects vaginal health is very poorly understood, particularly in Black  communities where they are most prevalent.  We will enroll 200 HIV-uninfected Black women in the study to gain a better understanding of the relationship between vaginal symptoms, vaginal inflammation and the microbiome.