Correlational studies on clinical and laboratory diagnoses of Trichomonas vaginalis coinfection with HIV candidiasis and syphilis among women of reproductive age in Jalingo North-central Nigeria

Background & objective: The high prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection globally and the frequency of co-infection with other STIs make Trichomoniasis a compelling public health concern. Research has shown that T. vaginalis infection is associated with high risk of several sexually transmitted infections. This study was to provide information on the coinfection rate with some STDs and the correlation between clinical diagnoses and confirmatory laboratory diagnosis among women of reproductive age in Jalingo. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional and laboratory- based research was carried out on the Correlational studies on clinical and laboratory diagnoses of T. vaginalis and it co-infection with HIV Candidiasis and Syphilis among women of reproductive age in Jalingo North-Central Nigeria, between November 2022 to March 2023. A health facility (Mimllins Laboratories Limited) was selected from Jalingo local government area. One hundred (100) Women within the reproductive age group of 15 to 50 years, seeking health care in the selected facility that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and grant consent were enrolled. A pretested structured interviewer’s questionnaire was used to collect data on clinical presentation. Results: A total of 100 eligible women between the ages of 15 to 50 years’ resident in Jalingo, Taraba State and attends to at the selected facility were examined. The overall prevalence of Trichomoniasis among the general population was 13%. For co-infection rates with HIV, syphilis, and Candidiasis, all the HIV-infected participants (4) had T. vaginalis infection while 70% (7/10) of the population that had syphilis had T. vaginalis infection. Both diseases (HIV and Syphilis) had a very strong association with T. vaginalis infection among the population (both p-values= 0.000). Candidiasis on the other hand had no significant association with T. vaginalis infection (p=1.000). Based on the clinical diagnosis, abdominal pain and burning sensation gave strong associations with T. vaginalis infection (p values were 0.001 and 0.005 respectively). However, the reverse was the case for vaginal itching and discharge (both p-values were 1.000). Conclusion: A greater percentage of T. vaginalis positive women came to the laboratory because they had related uncomfortable symptoms. This is problematic since some women in this area are unaware of the importance of having regular gynecological examinations unless symptoms appear. Hence, general surveillance for sexually transmitted diseases, an effective way to prevent T. vaginalis infection, is needed.