Prevalence and transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women in Khartoum State, Sudan

This study was carried out from January 2008 to December 2009 to determine the prevalence of trichomoniasis among women in Khartoum State, Sudan. Two different hospitals were selected. The two hospitals were Ibrahim Malik hospital which is serving an urban area and Ombada hospital which is serving a rural area and migrant people coming from other parts of Sudan particularly Western Sudan. Monthly data was collected including demographic, social and other factors related to infection with trichomoniasis using a questionnaire. Urine samples were collected weekly every month and examined using wet mount preparation method. 297 women were found infected with Trichomonas vaginalis of a total of 2473 examined making an overall prevalence rate of 12%. Prevalence of infection was slightly higher among women in Ombada hospital than those in Ibrahim Malik hospital but the difference is not statistically significant. However, difference in infection is statistically significant regarding areas of residence (P < 0.05). The highest (15.6%) and the lowest (4.8%) prevalence rates were recorded in Alsalam locality (Ombada hospital) and Khartoum locality (Ibrahim Malik hospital) respectively suggesting a difference in awareness between rural and urban areas. Significant differences related to age were recorded. The highest prevalence rates were among women in the age groups 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years. High infection rates were recorded during the hot and rainy season from July to October. Social, traditional and behavioral factors proved to be important factors in relation to infection of T. vaginalis among women in Khartoum State. Results indicate the importance of the problem and the need for more research and efforts to control it.