ABSTRACT
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the motile parasitic protozoan called Trichomonas vaginalis. This parasite is cosmopolitan and exhibits a high global prevalence, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of T. vaginalis in pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in Benin City, Edo State.
High vaginal swab samples were collected from six hundred and twelve patients using the following procedure. Exudates from the vagina were collected using a sterile swab stick aided with sterile speculum into the posterior fornix of the vagina, the color, consistency, and odour of the exudates were determined, a wet mounts of all swab samples were made in normal saline prepared on a clean glass slides, covered with a cover slips and examined under the low (10x) and high (40x) powers magnifications for presence of motile trichomonads, smears of the vaginal secretion were also made on a frosted end glass slide, air-dried and fixed in absolute methanol for 1 minute. Diluted Giemsa stainof 1 into 9 portionswas applied on the smears and allowed to stand for 10 minutes after which they were washed, air-dried and examined under the microscope oil immersion (X100) magnification for presence of trichomonads.
In conclusion, I suggest that there should be awareness campaign, accomplished with health programmes to educate people on the need to improve on their personal hygiene, screen, diagnose, treat patients with sex partners and follow up on the high risk individuals within communities.
a microscopy the sample was then transported to the laboratory for further investigation .The sole aim of evaluating the prevalence level of Trichomonas vaginalis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Benin City, Edo State.
The study was conducted between June 2018 and May 2019. A total of 612 women attending antenatal clinics at Central and University of Benin Teaching Hospitals and also Health Centres at Ogheghe, Obe, Ugbekun and Oghoghobi were considered in the study. High vaginal swabs was collected from the women and analysed for the presence of T. vaginalis. Data was collected using questionnaire technique.
The highest (n=194, 31.69%) and lowest (n=61, 9.97%) population of female subjects in the study occurred in Ugbekun and OghoghobiHealth Centres respectively with no significant difference (p>0.05) in data.The highest (n=22, 11.34%) and lowest (n=6, 9.84%) population of single female subjects occurred in Ugbekun and Oghoghobi Health Centres respectively with no significant difference (p>0.05) in data. A total of 553 married, 57 single and 2 divorced female subjects was considered in this study. Most of the female subjects had secondary school certification (n=330, 53.92%). Also they were mostly Christians (95.74%) and few were Muslims (n=26, 4.26%). The population and percentage level of pregnant female subjects was 588 and 96.08% respectively. Population of female subjects in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester was 230 (37.58%), 138 (22.54%) and 244 (39.87%) respectively. Most women used water cistern (19.12%) compared to pit latrine (80.88%) toilet system. Most were in a monogamous relationship (93.14%). A total of 95.59% were attached to just one sexual partner while 7 (1.14%) noted that they were involved with more than 2 sexual partners. A greater population consisting of 91.50% of female subjects were affirmative to not using condom. Majority of female subjects (96.41%) were not aware of the T. vaginalis infection. Some of the female subjects (34.15%) admitted to experiencing foul smell, frothy white or gray vaginal discharge, while 285 (46.57%) of them admitted to have experienced discomfort and itchy vagina. Another 3.86% of them admitted to experiencing painful urination. Most used private toilet (54.34%) while 45.66% noted they used public toilets. A total of 51.39% admitted to sharing of toiletries.In conclusion, observations made in this study revealed the need for further awareness campaign so as to reduce the tendency for the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection among women. This can be achieved by educating people about personal hygiene, diagnosis, treatment, sexual partner and follow up on high risk individuals within communities.
