Risk Factors For Vaginal Trichomoniasis Among Women In Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

In view of the public health importance of trichomoniasis among women, this study assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with this infection. A total of 260 high vaginal swabs were collected from women attending gynaecological and antenatal clinics in Uyo, Nigeria. The samples were subjected to standard parasitological method of diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis. The result showed that 46 (17.7%) of the women examined were infected with T. vaginalis. Age related prevalence of infection showed that subjects aged 21 � 25 years had the highest prevalence of infection (26.9%) while those aged >40 years had the least prevalence (3.6%) and this was statistically significant. Traders (33.3%) had the highest infection rate when compared with other occupational groups (p<.05). Other statistically significant risk factors included, no formal education, single status, pregnant women, primigravidity and the third trimester of pregnancy. Trichomonas is associated with significant obstetric and gynaecological morbidity, there is need for education of at risk women on the modes of transmission as a strategy for prevention and control.