Prevalence of trichomonas vaginalis infections among antenatal clients in maiduguri nigeria

Abstract

Background: The pregnant women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis may be at risk of adverse birth outcomes such as premature rapture of membranes, premature labour, low birth weight, post – abortion or post-hysterectomy infections, as well as neonatal infections. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of trichomoniasis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Maiduguri Metropolis, Northeastern Nigeria. Settings: Three health facilities in Maiduguri Metropolis were used; Yerwa Maternal and Child Health Care Center (Yerwa), State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri (SSHM) and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). Methodology: The study was a cross sectional survey of nine hundred and nineteen pregnant women aged between 15-44 years. Vaginal swab was collected from each of the subjects, The Samples were analysed within one hour of collection. Vaginal swab specimens were also cultivated in prepared OXOID Trichomonas medium and examined for motile Trichomonads. Results: Of the total 919 pregnant women studied 101 (10.99%) were found to have Trichomonas infection, with the highest prevalence at Yerwa Maternal and Child Health Center; age group between 15 and 26 years were most (46.5%) affected; there were no significant differences between the second and the third trimesters infections. The infection was more (19.6%) prevalent among those with primary education, while 43% of business women and students were infected. Conclusion: The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection of 11% in our community is a public health risk, therefore, clinicians should routinely screen all pregnant women for the infection and appropriate treatment be given early, emphasis must be placed on the youths, those with low educational background and the business women.