title: Prevalence of trichomoniasis among women in kermanshah, iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world with estimates of 7-8 million infections annually in the United States and 180 million globally.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for T. vaginalis infection in women who attended the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Kermanshah, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was performed on all women aged 15 to 65 years who attended the clinic of obstetrics and gynecology, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, west of Iran, between September 2011 and July 2012. Vaginal secretion samples were examined by the Dorset culture medium and wet-mount methods. Demographic and personal information were also collected via questionnaires and the data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 600 women were screened for T. vaginalis infection and this infection was diagnosed in 9 (1.5%) and 13 cases (2.1%) using the wet mount and culture methods, respectively. The age and husband occupation were significantly associated with an increased risk of trichomoniasis in the infected cases (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively); other variables, including the patients' occupation and education level appeared to be positively (but not significantly) correlated with infection (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in the study population was low. Diagnosis of trichomoniasis based on only clinical symptoms is not efficient for treatment decision. Based on our results, we suggest using the culture method on all the suspected cases even if the wet smear is negative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Naser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, High Risk Pregnancy Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zangeneh
authors.affiliation: Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moradi
authors.affiliation: Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Arezoo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozorgomid
keywords: Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Iran; Trichomoniasis