Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection in Nigerian Pregnant Women & Risk Factors Associated with Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Trichomoniasis poses public health threat to pregnant women and neonatal health. This study evaluated Trichomonas vaginalis and other common sexually transmitted diseases status in pregnant women, and risk factors associated with them. The study was cross-sectional and descriptive and a total of 198 pregnant women were recruited for T. vaginalis screening by microscopic examination. 

Questionnaires were also administered to 108 pregnant women to access information related to socio-demography and other factors associated with sexually transmitted diseases transmission. The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis was 18.7%. While prevalence of T. vaginalis was neither age nor parity dependent (p > 0.05), women in their first trimester however showed significant higher prevalence of trichomoniasis compared to women in second and third trimesters (p < 0.05). 

The frequency of sexually transmitted diseases was least (18.2%) and highest (71.4%) in age groups ≥ 39 and 15-20 years respectively. Low levels of education, multiple sexual partners, lack of knowledge on partners' sexually transmitted diseases history, and having sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs are the risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases (p < 0.05). 

There is a high prevalence of T. vaginalis in pregnant women with those in early gestational age at greater risk. Proper education of women on safe sex and the need to know partners' sexually transmitted diseases status are advocated.

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By: Oyeyemi OT1, Fadipe O2, Oyeyemi IT3.

• 1Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
• 2Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
• 3Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. 

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