Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infections amongst female students’ of tertiary institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan and the causative agent responsible for vaginal trichomoniasis in women. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease with significant public health impacts with vaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. TV also affects birth outcomes and is known to be associated with human immune deficiency virus transmission and its acquisition. A cross-sectional study was undertaken; it involves 250 female undergraduate students assessed for Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Fifteen milliliters of early morning urine samples were collected with a sterile disposable universal bottle, the trophozoites presence observed within 10 min of samples collection. The urine samples were centrifuged at 25 ℃ for 13 min at 1,500 rpm. Wet-mount microscopy examination performed using a drop of vortex sediments from the urine samples for their appearances, if bloody or cloudy and also screened for the presence of trophozoites of Trichomonas vaginalis. 56 (22.4%) were within the age bracket of 17 – 21 years, 124 (49.9%) were of the age range of 22 – 26 years, 42 (16.8%) were in the age group of 27 – 31 years, and 28 (11.2%) were 31 years and above. The rate of infections was significantly varied by age group, with the highest being in sexually active young women aged between 22–26 years 10 (80.7%) and the lowest in the age group 31 years (7.1%). It concluded that Trichomonas vaginalis control should be a public health authorities concern that can manage multiple health inequalities noted in some less privileged towns and villages in Nigeria.