Epidemiological study of infection with Trichomonas vaginalis in Kirkuk city

Abstract

A total of 1600 specimens were collected & examined from females whose their ages were 15-60 years, from the beginning of July 2007 till the end of May 2008 attending Kirkuk hospitals for epidemiological study of Trichomonas vaginalis. The vaginal examinations were done by gynecologist , two high vaginal swabs were taken from 250 women & a cervical swab from some women with vaginal discharge .General urine examination & blood group with Rh factor were performed for each woman with vaginal discharge. Direct microscopic examination , staining & culture of swabs were performed for diagnosis of T. vaginalis. The prevalence of infection of T. vaginalis was ( 2.8%) & the highest rate was among the age group between 15- 29 years (3.6%) & the prevalence of infection was higher among illiterate( 5.7% ) than educated ones.The highest prevalence of infection of T. vaginalis was recorded among those with blood group O & Rh +ve (4%), statistically the results were not significant. The conclusion of this study is that the prevalence of infection of T. vaginalis infection in Kirkuk city was low & the culture method was better than direct smear .