Prevalence and factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection among pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics in Mwanza city, North-western Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted parasitic infection known to cause vaginitis especially in women of child bearing age. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with T. vaginalis among pregnant women attending public health facilities in Mwanza City, Tanzania.

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women aged 17-46 years attending three public antenatal clinics in Mwanza City, north-western Tanzania. Wet preparation and Giemsa stained thick smears techniques were used to diagnose T. vaginalis infection. Socio-demographic characteristics and other risk related behaviours were collected.

Results: A total of 365 pregnant women participated in this study, 38 (10.41%) and 84 (23.01%) of them had trichomoniasis based on wet preparation and Giemsa stained thick smears respectively. On multivariable analysis, being HIV seropositive (AOR=11.65, 95%CI; 1.15-117.49, P<0.03) and having other sexual transmitted disease such as syphilis (AOR=4.40, 95%CI: 1.32-14.7, P<0.01) were significantly associated with T. vaginalis.

Conclusion: The prevalence of T. vaginalis in pregnant women in Mwanza city is high and the infection is associated with sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and HIV. Routine screening of T. vaginalis during ante-natal care clinics is highly recommended to reduce pregnancy complications related to T. vaginalis infection.