The Prevalence of Trichomoniasis in Women Referring to Health Treatment Centers in Karaj City, 2016 (Iran)

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world, which is one of the causative agents of vaginitis in women. This research was the first study that conducted to determine the prevalence of trichomoniasis in Karaj city.
This study was carried out on 967 women referring to health treatment centers in Karaj city in 2016. Trichomonas vaginalis, was diagnosed using vaginal discharge sample, wet mount, gram stain, and culture on Dorset medium. Candida and bacterial vaginitis was also diagnosed based on direct staining of smear.
Out of 967 individuals, 11 persons (1.1%), were diagnosed positive for Trichomoniasis. One sample (0.1%) were positive by gram staining, 5 samples (0.5%) by wet mount, and 11 samples (1.1%) by Dorset culture method. The highest infected individuals with T. vaginalis (1.6%), were in the age group of 35-44 and in the group with primary education (3.2%). In this study, the relationship between trichomoniasis and education level of the participants, was statistically significant (p=0.003). The most clinical signs and symptoms observed in individuals with trichomoniasis, was reported to be vaginal discharge and itching (90%). The prevalence of candida and bacterial vaginitis, were 11% and 14.5%, respectively.
The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of trichomoniasis in the studied population is relatively low. But, considering the importance of sexually transmitted infections in community, implementation of appropriate health strategies for the promotion of public health, is necessary for the control of these groups of infections.