Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in women of reproductive age at a family health clinic

Abstract

Introduction: Trichomonas vaginalis is considered the most prevalent curable sexually transmitted infection, and its occurrence exceeds that of gonococcal and chlamydia infections. This parasite has been identified as responsible for the increased risk of transmission of HIV and has also been associated with prostate and cervical cancer. Many carriers of T. vaginalis are asymptomatic and, when experiencing a health problem, they most often have nonspecific symptoms. The aim of this research was to estimate the presence of T. vaginalis and the associated factors in women of childbearing age at a primary health care clinic in the Federal District of Brazil. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with consecutive sampling of an outpatient population of women of childbearing age (excluding minors and pregnant women). The women answered a questionnaire and were examined. After vaginal pH measurement and whiff testing, a vaginal secretion sample was obtained for inoculation in TYM, a specific T. vaginalis culture medium. Results: The presence of T. vaginalis was identified in 16% of the sample. Fewer lifetime sexual partners and consistent condom use were identified as factors of protection against the infection. Complaints of dyspareunia were proportionally higher among women with positive cultures for T. vaginalis. Conclusions: The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was high in the sample studied. The infection was positively associated with the number of lifetime sexual partners, and consistent condom use was a protective factor. Vaginal complaints were more common among women with T. vaginalis, but only dyspareunia had significant association.

Prevalence and risk factors for Trichomonas vaginalis infection in pregnant women in South Africa

“…11,12 Significant pregnancy complications include pre-term labour, low birth weight and premature rupture of membranes. 13,14…”

Study of Trichomonas Vaginalis and Bacterial Vaginosis in Pap smear at a Tertiary Health Care Centre of Nepal

“…Our study correlates well with the finding of studies done by Bukhari et al 1 and Cheraghi et al 3 where TV was the reason for symptomatic and asymptomatic infection related to female urogenital system. A study conducted by De Glehn et al 13 also identified the high prevalence of TV infection among the samples studied and the infection was positively associated with the number of life time sex partners.Similarly, Malkappa et al 14 and Brooks-Smith-lowe et al 15 also reported the higher incidence of TV infection.…”

T. vaginalis in riverside women in Amazonia, Brazil: an experience using the EVALYN® BRUSH vaginal self-collection device

“…[9,[22][23][24][25][26]. When the wet mount or culture test was administered, the prevalence found in the Brazilian studies varied between 4.1% and 16% [27][28][29]. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has been only one study carried out in Brazil using a self-collection device (vaginal swab) for the detection of T. vaginalis, but this study did not use NAAT, but the XenoStrip T. vaginalis Test (Xenotopo Diagnostic, San Antonio, TX, USA), nowadays called OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test (Sekisui Diagnostic, San Diego, CA, USA) [30].…”