A comparative study of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in Filipino women.

ABSTRACT

A comparative study of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence among Filipino women is presented herein. A total of 288 women randomly drawn from various sources, including Social Hygiene clinics, Health Centers, and Family Planning Centers in the Metropolitan Manila Area were examined for T. vaginalis. Nineteen or (6.8%) were found positive either by wet mount or stained smear methods. Prevalence was significantly higher among the group of single than married women and five times higher among the waitress/hostess group than in the housewife/other group. Infection was related to parity and is significantly higher among nulliparous women. Likewise, a significant relationship was observed between prevalence of infection and gravidity. Prevalence decreases with increasing gravidity. No relationship in prevalence was observed between the use and non-use of contraceptives, and the method of contraceptive used. There was no significant association between the presence of the parasite and symptoms.

ABSTRACT

PIP To study the Trichomonas vaginalis infection rate in the Philippines, 280 women were examined, by either wet mount or stained smear methods, in the greater Manilla area. chi-square with 1 degree of freedom=9.5). Among a waitress/hostess group the prevalence of infection was 5 times higher (15.2%) than in a housewife/other group designation (2.7%). Infection was related to parity and was significantly higher among nulliparous women (5/41 cases or 12.2%); prevalence decreased as parity increased. A similar significant relationship obtained between prevalence of infection and gravidity; here, prevalence decreased with increasing gravidity from 14.3% in nongravid women to 7.7% in gravida 1-2 women to 3.3% in gravida 3 and over women. No relationship was shown between use or nonuse of contraception and T. vaginalis infection prevalence. Although the prevalence was noted to be slightly higher among nonacceptors (7.4%) than acceptors (5.1%), the difference was not statistically significant. There was no relationship revealed between the type of contraceptive method used and presence of infection. Finally, no significant association was found between the presence of the parasite and symptoms.