A Community-based study of risk factors for Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women and their male partners in Moshi urban district, northern Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine predictors of Trichomonas vaginalis among women and their partners in Moshi, Tanzania.


METHODS
Women (N = 1440) and their partners (N = 588) were interviewed and specimens for detection of T. vaginalis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were collected.


RESULTS
Prevalence of T. vaginalis was 10.7% in women and 6.3% in men. Having a partner with T. vaginalis was the strongest risk factor in women (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 19.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.84-48.25) and men (adjusted OR, 19.01; 95% CI, 6.8-52.40). Risk of T. vaginalis infection was increased in subjects with less education. Other risk factors in women were daily alcohol consumption, being separated, reporting infertility problems, having a partner who had children with other women, and other STIs; and in men, the risk factor was having no income. T. vaginalis was not associated with HIV-1 in women and men.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of T. vaginalis and other STIs among couples is a major priority. Reduction of alcohol consumption in women is an important intervention.
Klinger
Elissa V
EV
Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Population and International Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Kapiga
Saidi H
SH
Sam
Noel E
NE
Aboud
Said
S
Chen
Cheng-Yen
CY
Ballard
Ronald C
RC
Larsen
Ulla
U
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000818:Animals; D003153:Community Health Services; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D016054:DNA, Protozoan