An epidemiological study of Trichomonas vaginalis in among women living in Baquba City, Diyala Province, Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the percentage of the occurrence of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and the risk factors of infection with this parasite among women living in Baquba City Diyala Province, Iraq. One hundred and twenty women who attended the Al-Batool Teaching Hospital and private clinics in Baquba, were examined during the period March until the end of 2013 April. Vaginal swabs were taken from each woman and examined. The direct microscopic examination and cultivated methods were used for diagnosis and full information were recorded about all women such as : age, housing, pregnancy, use of contraceptions, education level, abortion, the number of birthed children and the marriage time.The study showed that the overall percentage of T. vaginalis was 41.6% and the highest infection (12.5%) was at the age group of 26 - 30 years, while the lowest infection rate (0.8%) was found at the age group ˃ 50 years. As for the urban women the infection was 29.1% while the infection among rural women was 12.5%. As for the pregnancy status, it was found that the highest rate of infection was in un-pregnant women (34.1%) compared to pregnant women (7.5%).The study also showed that the percentage of infection has increased significantly among women who do not use contraceptives compared to women who used contraceptive pills (24.1% and 10.8% respectively). With regard to the educational level, the highest rate of infection was among educated women (30.8%) compared to non-educated (10.8%) women. The incidence among abortive women was 26.6% which is higher than that among nonabortive women (15%). The study recorded an infection rate of 29.1 % among women who have 1-5 children. The study also showed that 20% of women who have been married for 6-9 years were infected with this parasite.