Prevalence and Risk Factors of Trichomonas vaginalis Among Female Sexual Workers in Nairobi, Kenya. Issue 7 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lockhart, Alexandre; Senkomago, Virginia; Ting, Jie; Chitwa, Michael; Kimani, Joshua; Gakure, Hannah; Kwatampora, Jessie; Patel, Suha; Mugo, Nelly; Smith, Jennifer S.
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted diseases. Volume 46:Issue 7(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-5717

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Trichomonas vaginalis infection is associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, human immunodeficiency virus transmission, and preterm birth in women. Data on the prevalence and risk factors for TV infection in sub-Saharan African countries remain scarce. Methods: A total of 350 Kenyan female sex workers, aged 18 to 50 years, participated in a 2-year longitudinal study of the acquisition of STIs, including TV infection. Every 3 months, cervical and vaginal brush samples were collected for STI testing. At baseline, a sociodemographic and behavior questionnaire was administered. Testing for TV, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and high-risk human papillomavirus was performed using APTIMA assays. Results: The TV baseline prevalence was 9.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 6.3–12.7%) and 2-year cumulative TV incidence was 8.1 per 1000 person months (6.9–9.3). Risk factors for higher TV prevalence at baseline were CT infection (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR], 8.53; 95% CI, 3.35–21.71), human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity (PR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.45, 6.24) and greater than 4 years of sex work (PR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.07–6.60). Risk factors for elevated 2-year TV incidence were CT (hazard ratio [HR], 4.28; 95% CI, 1.36–13.50), high-risk human papillomavirus infection (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.06–3.45) and history of smoking (HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.24–5.73). Discussion: CT infection was positively associated with both prevalent and 2-year incident TV infections. Abstract : Chlamydia trachomatis infection was associated with a higher risk of prevalent and of 2-year incident Trichomonas vaginalis infection in a longitudinal study of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.