Re-evaluation of vulvovaginal trichomoniasis among women in Niger delta region, Nigeria

Abstract

The status of a neglected, common tropical protozoan parasitic flagellate, Trichomonas vaginalis, causing vulvovaginal trichomonias is (VVT) was re-evaluated among female subjects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study area consisted University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) and Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), all in Port Harcourt, Niger Delta Region. Informed consent was sought and obtained before sample collection. Standard parasitological techniques were employed in vaginal swab and urine analysis. Two hundred and forty female subjects, aged 11-60 years were examined in 2014, out of which 22.5% were infected whereas in the precious study in 2006, the prevalence was 10% out of 500 subjects. UPTH had more VVT rates(9.7%, 30%) than BMSH (8%, 18.8%), in both studies respectively, although the infection is not location dependent (P>0.05). Age group 11-20 years (46.7%) had the highest infection rate inlatter with age group 51-60 years(5%) as the least; age group 19-29 years had (16.5%) as the highest in the former. Occupational prevalence shows that undergraduates and students were more infected with VVT (40%) and (25%) than others in latter while traders were most infected (11.1%) in the former, although VVT was not significantly (p>0.05) occupation related. Non-pregnant subjects (26.6%) were more infected than pregnant ones (14%);statistical analysis showed that pregnancy has close association with VVT butit is not pregnancy dependent (p>0.05). The unmarried (30%) had higher prevalence than married (11.7%). The results showed that Trichomonas vaginalis can tolerate wide range of acidic pH (4-5.5). The prevalence of VVT is on the increase; there is need for more awareness campaign and action plan for the control and elimination of this neglected common tropical disease of the youth.

KEYWORD: Vulvovaginal trichomoniasis, women, Niger Delta Region, re-evaluation, upsurge.