Trichomoniasis (commonly referred to as “trich”) is an Infection of the urogenital system of humans by a flagellate protozoan of the genus trichomonas. It is also the most common curable sexually transmitted disease in the world. Trichomoniasis can cause urithritis in men and vaginitis in women. The disease is an important public health disease that is associated with vaginitis, cervicitis, urithritis, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), it also affects birth outcomes and plays a role in acquisition and transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 

Trichomonas infects nearly every mammal associated with human beings. the specie pathogenic to man is Trichomonas vaginalis, others are Trichomonas tenax which infect the mouth and Trichomonas hominis which infect the intestine, and they are differentiated by site of origin, morphology and cultural characteristics. The two other species of the genus trichomonas (Trichomonas hominis and Trichomonas tenax) are harmless commensals in other words they are non-pathogenic.

Although infection with Trichomonas vaginalis is frequently asymptomatic ad self-limited, it can however cause urethritis in men.vaginal discharge, vulvovaginal soreness, dysuria, dyspareunia, and irritation are usually experienced by symptomatic women with trichomoniasis [1]. Transmission of infection usually occurs through sexual intercourse and sometimes through accidental and recently contaminated toilet articles which is also possible, generally, Trichomonas vaginalis infect the lower genitor- urinary tract of both females and males and it is mostly found in sexually active individuals. However, women appear to be more susceptible than men. 

Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming prevalent and can cause problems which affect men women; children and even unborn babies; some of these diseases such as trichomoniasis affect foetus and newborn. The pregnant women who suffer these diseases may end up with the death of the foetus, the newborn or birth of a child who is seriously ill, premature rupture of membranes, premature labour, low birth weight and post abortion or his hysterectomy infection are complications of Trichomonas vaginalis that have been reported.

The high incidence of trichomoniasis among persons of different races in association with other sexually transmitted diseases (examples, Herpes simplex, and Human immunodeficiency virus) and its contribution to infertility and other health complications have made it of significance in health care delivery. Trichomoniasis occur worldwide, with an annual estimation of 170million cases.

Trichomoniasis often co-exists with other sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV infection) [2].

Hammil [3] and Wings also in their works held that sexual transmission is the most common route of transmission. Some investigators consider Trichomoniasis to be the most common protozoan sexually transmitted disease [4]. In sexually transmitted disease, Trichomoniasis may be present in 10-15% of women with virginal symptoms [4].

Trichomoniasis was found to be eight times as frequent in Negro women as in white women by the work of Burgess, [5]. The prevalence of Trichomoniasis was greatest in women of both races 30-40years of age

Trichomoniasis is also seen in 30-40% of male partners with infected women in Nigeria, there is about 21.9% infected rate [6]. Also, among women (from the study done in Ahmadu Bello university Zaria), prevalence rate recorded was above 87% of women that were between 15-34 years of age. In addition to the source of infection of trichomoniasis, other contributory factors to the epidemiology of the disease includes personal hygiene, social economic status method on analysis employed in the study, and experience of the authors or researchers [7].

In a number of other studies, the prevalence rate of Trichomonas vaginalis infection noted among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Ahmad Bello university teaching hospital were higher than what was observed in other places. Recent data have shown that the annual worldwide incidence of trichomoniasis have been estimated at over 170million cases. The incidence of trichomoniasis in Europe is similar to that in the United States. In Africa, the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis was estimated to be 11-25% among Africa study populations. In fact, the world health organization [11] has estimated that this infection accounts for almost half of all curable sexually transmitted infections. 

Report from Nigeria suggest that trichomoniasis could be higher in the urban areas than in the rural communities for example, in a study carried out at Benin a higher prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis was documented for subjects that resided in urban areas as 57.70% than those that lived in rural communities as 39.16%. Also, prevalence was higher amongst the sexually active groups of age 18-45 years old the gender prevalence rate was higher in females with 52% cases compared to males with 29% cases. This is similar to the work of Onwuluri et al. [8] who observed 31.0% females and 15.6% males this is possible due to the low detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in men using wet mount microscopy. This study therefore was set up to ascertain the prevalence of trichomoniasis among adults attending Plateau specialist hospital and in relation to gender and ages. 

This research work was carried out amongst adult males and females of reproductive age (sexually active) attending Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos for related health issues and clinical attentions and from whom various samples/specimen were duly collected, processed and analyzed. A total of 100 samples were collected out of which 50 were urine samples obtained from both male and female adult, 30 were high vaginal swab obtained from only females, and 20 were stool samples obtained from only males.

50 urine samples were obtained from adult male and female patients, 30 vaginal swabs from females and 20 stool samples from males attending plateau specialist hospital from the month of June to July 2019.

The urine, vaginal swabs and stool were adequately analyzed according to Ochei and Kolhatkar.

Table 1: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis Among Male and Female Adults

Table 2: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in Urine of Female Adults

Table 3: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in Urine of Female Adult in Relation to Age Group 

Table 4: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in Urine of Male Adults

Table 5: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in Urine of Male Adult in Relation to Age Group 

Table 6: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in High Vaginal Swab of Female Adults

Table 7: Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis Among Female Adult in Relation to Age Group in High Vaginal Swab

Table 8: Prevalence of Trichomonas Hominis in Stool Sample of Male Adult 

This study has a relatively low prevalence rate of Trichomonas vaginalis among adult male and female patients attending plateau specialist hospital, 100 samples were examined out of which 10 samples were positive with the prevalence rate of 10% among adults. The prevalence is lower when compared with that of Nwibari and Nanvayat (2013) in Jos –North plateau state where they reported a prevalence of 23.3 %. This disparity could be due to sample area or the methods used in the studies while the method used in this study was only direct wet mount method.

The study also shows that highest prevalence of Trichomoniasis occur among females [10]. This agrees with Burgess [9] who opined that it affects females more. It is also highest within the age group of 18-30 years with the prevalence rate of 8% in urine sample and 16.7 in high vaginal swab sample and followed by age group 31-40 years with the prevalence rate of 4% in urine sample and 6.7 in high vaginal swab while less infection was recorded within age groups of 41-50 and 51-60 years with the prevalence rate of 3.3% in high vaginal swab sample and occur among ales within the age group of 31-40 and 41-50 with the prevalence rate of both 4%. This may be due to the fact that these age groups are sexually active hence transmission of infection is more common. Instability of socio-economic status and desire to be highly placed both financially and societally can bring about several activities in this age range, which gives this prevalence. These suggestions are further authenticated by a review on studies done by Draper and Parker in 2005, promiscuity and poverty are factors that contribute to the spread of the infection.

Generally, Trichomoniasis is associated with significant public health problems including HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted disease. Infection presentation is highly variable as majority of the women and men are often asymptomatic carriers who usually escape diagnosis and treatment thereby constitute major source of Spread and transmissions. Diagnosis of Trichomonas infection is usually problematic due to highly sensitive nature of the parasite to drying effect and to atmospheric oxygen. The parasite therefore does not survive beyond few hours once they leave the human body. Previous and present studies give the evidence that Trichomoniasis is still a major public health problem. This study therefore recommends:

• That all infected persons should be treated along with their partners to avoid development of resistance to the organism as well as infection and reinfection

• That abstinence from sexual activities (for the unmarried) and faithfulness to one partner (for the married) is highly encouraged, as the greatest populations at risk are the sexually active individuals

• There should be enlightenment campaigns on the route of transmission and prevention tichomoniasis to the masses in Jos

1. Paniker, Jayaram C.K. Textbook of Medical Parasitology. 5th ed., 2002, pp. 221.

2. Paniker, Jayaram C.K. Textbook of Medical Parasitology. 6th ed., 2007, pp. 40–42.

3. Hammil, H. A. “Trichomonas vaginalis.” Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, vol. 16, 2009, pp. 531–540.

4. Levine, G. I. “Sexually transmitted parasitic diseases.” Primary Care, vol. 18, 2005, pp. 101–128.

5. Burgess, D. E. “Trichomonads and intestinal flagellates.” Microbiology and Microbial Infection, vol. 5, no. 11, 2005, pp. 205–212.

6. Onifade, R. et al. “Diagnostic methods in trichomoniasis.” Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, vol. 75, 2007, pp. 213–216.

7. Rein, M. F. et al. “Trichomonas vaginalis and trichomoniasis.” Sexually Transmitted Diseases, McGraw-Hill, pp. 481–492.

8. Onwuliri, C. O. et al. “Trichomonas amongst students of a higher institution in Nigeria.” Applied Parasitology, vol. 34, 2003, pp. 19–25.

9. Burgess, K. F. “Incidence of trichomonas vaginalis.” American Journal of Urogenital Medicine, vol. 10, 2006, pp. 120–122.

10. Krieger, J. N. “Trichomoniasis data.” Sexually Transmitted Diseases, vol. 22, 2003, pp. 82–96.

11. World Health Organization. Global Prevalence and Incidence of Selected Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections: Overview and Estimates. World Health Organization, 2017, pp. 156, Geneva.