Abstract
Background: Trichomoniasis is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection which leads to several public health risks such as urethritis, vaginitis, eventually abortion and sterility and it has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Aim of the study: The current cross-sectional study was conducted to measure the rate of Trichomoniasis among female patients consulting different clinics based on direct examination of vaginal swabs, urine samples and cervical discharges specimens.Materials and method: A total of 276 specimens (106 vaginal, 169 urine and 9 cervical) were collected from females aged 18 -45 years consulting four clinics from November, 2022 to May, 2023. The desired patient information was obtained through a designed questionnaire sheet. All specimens processed and examined by direct microscopy following standard protocols. Results were analyzed statistically by Chi-square test and a p value ≥ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The overall rate of positivity was 9.78% (27 out 276). The detection rates by examining vaginal swab wet mount, urine wet mount and cervical wet mount methods were 14.15% (15 out of 106), 6.21% (10 out of 161) and 22.22% (2 out of 9) respectively. There were almost no significant differences between the infection and socio-demographic variables and methods used.Conclusion: The direct microscopy of vaginal swab or urine specimens still has a useful ability to discover positive cases. In order to increase positivity rates additional more sensitive diagnostic techniques such as regular polymerase chain reaction methods for suspected cases are recommended.