Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Nigerian pregnant women and risk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Trichomoniasis poses a public health threat to pregnant women and neonatal health. This study evaluated Trichomonas vaginalis and other common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) status in pregnant women, and risk factors associated with them. The study was cross-sectional and descriptive and a total of 198 pregnant women were recruited for T. vaginalis screening by microscopic examination. Questionnaires were also administered to 108 pregnant women to access information related to socio-demography and other factors associated with STI transmission. The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis was 18.7%. While prevalence of T. vaginalis was neither age nor parity dependent (p > 0.05), women in their first trimester showed significantly higher prevalence of trichomoniasis compared to women in their second and third trimesters (p < 0.05). The frequency of STIs was lowest (18.2%) and highest (71.4%) in age groups ≥ 39 and 15-20 years, respectively. Low levels of education, multiple sexual partners, lack of knowledge on partners' STI history, and having sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs were risk factors of for STIs (p < 0.05). We found a high prevalence of T. vaginalis in pregnant women, with those at an early gestational age at greater risk. The improved education of women on safe sex and the need to know partners' STI status are advocated.

Prevalence and Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women

“…We observed a high prevalence of T. vaginalis (20%) in a population of HIV-infected pregnant women seeking antenatal care at public health centers in South Africa. The prevalence in our cohort was similar to the prevalence found in other cohorts of South African women (20%) [18] and HIV-infected pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (18%) [19] and Nigeria (19%) [20]; however, it was slightly less than other cohorts of HIV-infected women (30%) [21] and non-HIV infected pregnant women (41%) [22] in South Africa. The range of Ct values we observed in PCR-positive cases (18.3 – 39.9) was similar to that observed in another recent study of T. vaginalis prevalence in South African women (17.0 – 37.9).…”

Prevalence and risk factors for Trichomonas vaginalis infection among adults in the U.S., 2013–2014

“…[7] Although neither the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nor the United States Preventive Service Taskforce advocate for routine screening during pregnancy, TV has been associated with low birthweight infants and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm labor as well as case reports of fatal neonatal brain abscess. [7,29] Recent studies suggest that infection with TV may enhance acquisition and transmission of HIV-1 through increased inflammation and breakdown of the normal epithelial barrier. [8,9] Accurate diagnosis of this infection is also important as high levels of reinfection or persistent infection in high-risk groups has been documented.…”

“…[6] In certain populations, TV is associated with significant disease burden, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. [7] Recently, less benign findings including infertility, chronic urogenital inflammation and increased transmission of HIV-1 have been associated with TV infection. [8,9] A prior review of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2001-2004 estimated TV prevalence of 3.2% in adult females in the United States.…”

Potential Role of Trichomonas Vaginalis in Women With Primary and Secondary Infertility in Beni-Suef, Egypt

“…Trichomoniasis plays a role in some health problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy (Fichorova, 2009), and undesirable pregnancy outcomes (Oyeyemi et al, 2015), associated with an increase in susceptibility to HIV (Lemos and Garcia-Zapata, 2010), and cervical neoplasia (Afzan and Suresh, 2012).…”