Prevalence and Correlates of Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis among Female Students in Bingham University

Aim: To determine the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis among female students in Bingham University.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University, Karu between the months of March to June 2016.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study design was utilized.

Methodology: Low vaginal swabs were collected from 200 female students. G. vaginalis was identified using wet mount, whiff test and culture in chocolate media. Trichomonas vaginalis was identified by making wet mounts of vagina swabs and viewing for viable organism under x10 and x40 objectives of the light microscope.

Results: The results from this study reveals a prevalence rate of 39.0% comprising of 34.5% for G. vaginalis infection and 4.5% for T. vaginalis. Coinfection rate of (4.5%) was also recorded. Age, symptoms and predisposing factors were significantly associated with G. vaginalis infection (p<0.05). Bivariate analysis using correlation coefficient of 0.2065, 0.5863 and 0.4086 for age, symptoms and predisposing factors shows a moderate positive correlation between these factors considered and the pathogens under study. Similarly, age was significantly associated with T. vaginalis (p<0.05). However, symptoms and predisposing factors showed no significant relationship (p>0.05) with T. vaginalis. A prevalence rate of (24.5%) and (4.0%) was recorded in the age group 15-20 yrs for G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis infection respectively.

Conclusion: The findings of the entire study reveals that the prevalence of T. vaginalis is quite low however; the prevalence of 34.5% for G. vaginalis is quite alarming. These infections are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes therefore; there is a need for increased provision of health information concerning G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis in the school peripheral. Screening and treatment of these infections will go a long way to eradicate these infections among female students in the University.