Prevalence of trichomoniasis among pregnant women in Benin City

• Main Authors: Frederick Olusegun Akinbo, Cynthia Nwabu Mokobia, Adedapo Babatunde Anibaba Ande
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Sahel Medical Journal
• Subjects: Pregnant women; routine screening; trichomoniasis
• Online Access: http://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2017;volume=20;issue=2;spage=67;epage=71;aulast=Akinbo

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis has been recognized as a cosmopolitan parasite of male and female genital tract. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic trichomoniasis among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 patients and subjects consisting of 250 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and 50 non-pregnant apparently healthy subjects who served as controls were recruited in this study. The age ranged from 20 to 40 years. High vaginal swab was collected from each participant and T. vaginalis was diagnosed by microscopy. Results: An overall prevalence of 2.8% of trichomoniasis was observed among pregnant women. Gestational age and educational status of pregnant women were significantly associated with the prevalence of trichomoniasis. Conclusion: Asymptomatic T. vaginalis infection is common in pregnancy. We recommend routine screening for this infection in order to reduce the potential adverse pregnancy outcomes.