Association of Trichomonas vaginalis with sociodemographic factors and other STDs among female inmates in Lisbon

Abstract

A study on STDs was conducted among 211 female inmates in a prison in Lisbon, Portugal, in order to establish possible associations between Trichomonas vaginalis infection, sociodemographic factors and other STDs. T. vaginalis was found in 31.2% of the women, from whom only 65.1% presented symptoms. It was more frequently isolated in the 20-40 year age group. On univariate analysis there was an association, although not statistically significant, between the existence of T. vaginalis, multiple sexual partners, drug addiction and no condom use. A statistically significant association was found between trichomoniasis, prostitution and other STDs. These were found in 87% of all women. T. vaginalis was detected alone in 23.8% (15/63) of all women with trichomoniasis, while 76.2% (48/63) of them had multiple infections with trichomonas and other STDs. A statistically significant association was present between trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma hominis and infection with Treponema pallidum. This study showed that the prevalence of T. vaginalis is as high as that of multiple infections with other STDs. Therefore, our findings seem to confirm that trichomoniasis serves as a marker for other STDs. Screening for STDs should then be offered to Portuguese inmates, or, at least, these women should be screened for T. vaginalis, as a marker for the other STDs.

Global epidemiology and control of Trichomonas vaginalis

“…Studies of female inmates have shown a high prevalence of trichomoniasis, 31.2-46.9% (culture) [34,35]. In one Portuguese study, of predominantly white inmates, a statistically significant association was found between trichomoniasis, sex work and other STIs, in particular Mycoplasma hominis and Treponema pallidum.…”

“…In one Portuguese study, of predominantly white inmates, a statistically significant association was found between trichomoniasis, sex work and other STIs, in particular Mycoplasma hominis and Treponema pallidum. Only 65.1% were symptomatic on testing [34]. When pregnant inmates at a New York City prison were studied, multivariate analysis revealed a significant association with crackcocaine use and positive syphilis serology.…”

“…Drug use has been highlighted as a risk factor for trichomoniasis in a number of studies [28,34,35]. It has clearly been demonstrated that drug users practice sex behaviours which place them at higher risk of STIs [60][61][62].…”

Strategies to intervene on social determinants of infectious diseases

“…Incorrect monitoring for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy among migrants in northern Italy, precluding timely application of preventive measures [55] Trichomonas vaginalis Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) High prevalence of T. vaginalis and multiple infections with other STDs among female inmates in Lisbon, Portugal [56] Puumala virus (PUUV) Nephropathia epidemica, a mild form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)…”

Clinical and Epidemiological Factors Determining Propagation and Clinic of Urogenital Trichomoniasis in Women

“…Трихомоноз характеризуется достаточно широким распространением бессимптомной и недиагностированной формами заболевания [2,14] с высоким риском половой трансмиссии ВИЧ-инфекции [10,16]. Эту взаимосвязь ряд авторов объясняют двумя обстоятельствами: разрушением эпителиального монослоя с по-следующим увеличением проникновения ВИЧ, а также индуцированной T. vaginalis иммунной активацией, в частности, лимфоцитов с про-дукцией цитокинов, приводящей к увеличению репликации ВИЧ в инфицированных клетках.…”