Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and associated factors among parturients in Lagos: A multicenter descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

The significant burden and adverse outcomes of Trichomonas vaginalis infection during pregnancy highlight the urgent need to understand the factors contributing to its widespread occurrence. Our study determined the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection among parturients using the novel Trichomonas rapid test, and then assessed associated factors among parturients in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS

This multicenter descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled n = 188 parturients in the labor ward of three hospitals in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, from April 2021 to December 2021. We identified factors significantly associated with T. vaginalis infection using the multivariable binary logistic regression model with a backward stepwise selection approach.

RESULTS

The study revealed a 7.4% (95% confidence interval: 4.1-12.2) prevalence of T. vaginalis infection. The only factor independently associated with T. vaginalis infection was a history of term or preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) in the index pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 11.38, 95% confidence interval: 2.15-60.17).

CONCLUSION

One in 13 parturient women in our study had T. vaginalis infection, with a notable association with preterm or term PROM. Our findings, however, underscore the need for further research with a larger sample size to understand the causal pathways and broader risk factors associated with T. vaginalis infection, informing more effective public health strategies.