Prevalenţa infecţiei cu Trichomonas vaginalis la femeile de vârstă reproductivă din Kosovo

Abstract

Aim. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in women of reproductive age from Kosovo. Methodology. The study was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristine, Kosovo, between April and July 2022. The study population consisted of a total of 207 women. Sexually active women aged at least 20 years old were included in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to the participants to seek for information such as age, marital status, occupation and pregnancy status. Every woman’s informed consent was sought before the collection of specimens by qualified medical personnel. The specimens were carefully and aseptically collected from the high vaginal area using well-labeled, sterile, non-abrasive high vaginal swab sticks. A few drops of normal saline were added to each swab stick, and a wet mount examination was performed within less than half an hour of collection in order to get optimal results. The wet preparation of the vaginal discharge was made by applying a drop from the sample to a small area of a clean glass slide with a cover slip in order not to trap air bubbles. The wet smear was examined microscopically for motile T. vaginalis with a low-power objective (x10) and then with a high-power objective (x40). The vaginal secretion was characterized by the presence of epithelial cells, white blood cells and red blood cells. The T. vaginalis trophozoite was identified by its oval, flagellated and distinctive motility (jerky movement). Results. An overall prevalence rate of 12.56% was found in Kosovo. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection differed from place to place. It varied as well among age groups, showing the highest prevalence in the age group of 30-39 years old (13.63%), and the lowest in the age group of 20-29 years old (5.70%). The prevalence varied with marital groups, being the highest in divorced women (30.76%) and the lowest among singles (6.74%). The prevalence rate was also observed to be highest among the employed (19.71%) and lowest among students (14.81%) and unemployed (7.33%). T. vaginalis infection was observed in non-pregnant women in a prevalence rate of 15.20%. Conclusions. T. vaginalis infection is prevalent in women of reproductive age, as evident in our country. The infection is common in sexually active female participants, especially in those with multiple sex partners. Proper personal hygiene, faithfulness to one sexual partner, and massive public awareness on the prevention and control of T. vaginalis are advised to reduce its prevalence among women of reproductive age in our country.