Clinical profile and sociodemographic aspects of trichomoniasis among females in the Western province of Sri Lanka

The objective of this study was to describe the sociodemographic aspects, presenting symptoms and findings of clinical examination of laboratory confirmed cases of trichomoniasis. Cases of trichomoniasis were studied, focusing on the sociodemographic aspects and presenting symptoms and signs at clinical examination. There were 29 laboratory confirmed cases of trichomoniasis. The infection was prevalent in equal proportions in all age groups (36-45, 15-25, 26-35 years- 38%, 31%, and 31%). The majority (76%) were married. There were 35% house wives and 28% sex workers. Contraceptives were not used by 48%. Only 41% were symptomatic at the time of detection. Out of those with a vaginal discharge, 50% complained of greenish yellow discharge and 34% a whitish thick discharge. In addition to the discharge, 7% had itching. None of the patients who were positive complained of dysuria. Findings at the clinical examination were mostly different to the symptoms described by the patients. On examination, the majority (81%) of T vaginalis infected women had a serous vaginal discharge and 14% a greenish yellow discharge. Twenty eight percent of infected females did not have any discharge. Presence of typical symptoms or type of vaginal discharge on examination cannot be used as the sole criterion for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis. These results indicate that treatment of patients based on symptoms per se can lead to over usage of metronidazole. This also shows the importance of laboratory support to diagnose T vaginalis infection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v3i1.4690