PREVALENCE OF TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS INFECTION AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING HOSPITALS/HEALTH CENTRES IN ONITSHA COMMUNITY, ONITSHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

A study of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women of Onitsha community in Onitsha North Local Government area Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out between January to June, 2013. A total of 200 women less than 20years and above, who attended hospital/health centres during the study were involved in the study. Two hundred samples of vaginal swabs were carefully and aseptically collected from the vaginal area using well-labeled, sterile, non-abrasive high vaginal swab sticks. All samples were centrifuged and examined microscopically within 2 hours of collection. The presence of Trichomonas vaginalis was detected by its characteristic jerking movement in a wet preparation. An overall prevalence of 17.5% T. vaginalis infection was obtained. The highest prevalence of T. vaginalis infection (27.5%) was obtained from General Hospital Onitsha. However, none (0%) was obtained in safety Medical laboratory. The highest prevalence (47.2%) was obtained from age group 30-39 years age old. Non-pregnant women were more infected (17.8%) than pregnant ones (16.7%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Adequate personal hygiene, avoidance of promiscuity, faithfulness to on sexual partner, and health education were advocated for improvement of their health.