Prevalence and factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection in indigenous Brazilian women

Abstract

There is a scarcity of studies on the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in indigenous populations of Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and December 2018, on indigenous women living nearby an urban center of the Midwest region of Brazil and determined the prevalence of TV. Factors associated with TV infection and a comparison of molecular and direct microscopy diagnoses were determined. 241 indigenous women aged above 18 years participated in the study. Cervical and vaginal brush samples were collected to diagnose TV through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Direct microscopy for detection of TV, and cellular changes was performed. A sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaire was applied at the beginning of the study. All the data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The result obtained showed that 27.8% [95% CI: 22.2-33.9] were positive for TV on PCR, while 7.41% [95% CI: 4.1-11] showed positive on direct microscopy. Direct microcopy also found 21 (8.71%) and 8 (3.31%) women infected with Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, respectively. In addition, 10 women presented atypical squamous cells of unknown significance and 14 lesions suggestive of HPV. Single women, under the age of 30 and who do not use condoms, were found to have a greater chance of getting TV infection. The high prevalence TV found in this population is comparable to highly vulnerable populations, as prisoners, sex workers and women in regions with low socioeconomic levels, moreover, seems to be an underdiagnosis of this infection. Therefore, a routine test program, as well as a review of the diagnostic method used, is encouraged for proper management.

The prevalence ofTrichomonas vaginalisinfection among the female population of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Our reported TV prevalence was higher than that reported in Poland (0%), 15 France (1.7%), 16 China (1.64%) 17 and the USA (3.1%), 18 while it was lower than the frequency rates reported in Turkey (6.17%), 19 Brazil (27.8%), 20 Ethiopia (9.62%) 21 and Papua New Guinea (39.3%). 22 Obviously, the higher rates and increased risk of TV in some countries and poor nations may be related to poverty, a low level of education, a lack of knowledge regarding safe sex (e.g.…”

“…Across different studies from a worldwide perspective, condom use was not found to be significantly associated with TV infection. 20 , 28 , 39 , 40 In a Sudanese study, the other two variables were also not significantly associated with a history of abortion and/or being pregnant. 26 LBW and PTD are two major issues regarding TV infection during gestation 41 ; although these parameters were not considered in Iranian studies, further investigations are required to obtain a more accurate picture of the association between pregnancy and TV infection sequelae in pregnant women in Iran.…”

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and associated risk factors in the Tibetan area, China

“…Using a condom for sex was a protective factor against T. vaginalis infection, as Barbosa et al found (Barbosa et al 2020). In this study, women who did not use condoms for sex were twice as likely to be T. vaginalis positive as women who did.…”

Comparison of diagnostic methods and analysis of socio-demographic factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Sri Lanka

“…(2020) and Fernando et al . (2012) [ 46 , 53 ]. The present study reported a statistically significant relationship between Trichomonas infection and multiple sexual partners ( p = 0.001).…”

“…However, a recent study carried out by Barbosa et al . (2020) [ 53 ] showed a high prevalence of Trichomonas infection among sex workers. The present study observed an increased incidence of infection among commercial sex workers, even though the findings were not statistically significant.…”