Frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in apparently healthy women in western Santiago
Mercado, R.; Basaldua, J.; Madariaga, A.
Boletin del Hospital San Juan de Dios 32: 85-87
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0716-0666 PMID: 12320978 Document Number: 426133
The incidence of infection by Trichomonas vaginalis in apparently healthy women was surveyed in the western area of Santiago, Chile, which comprised both urban and rural areas with medium- or low-income people. A retrospective review of the data of the cytopathology laboratory of San Juan de Dios Hospital was conducted. The data contained all annual Pap smears and epidemiological information about the presenting patients. During 1983, a total of 29,501 women had Pap smears taken to detect signs of early cervical and uterine cancer. 10,491 of these women came from rural areas of the western health district and sought medical care in hospitals located there. The rest of the women (19,010) were urban inhabitants who attended consultation rooms and polyclinics in the peripheries. It was found that, among 29,501 smears of cervical secretions examined, 3365 contained Trichomonas vaginalis (11.4% of the studied group). The age range of those affected was 20-49 years. There was no difference in infection rate between rural and urban inhabitants. The presence of T. vaginalis was 9.1% in the 10-19 age group; 12.3% in the 20-29 age group; 11.5% in the 30-39 age group; and 11.6% in the 40-49 age group. The 20-49 age group had the highest incidence, because their sexual activity also was the highest. A previous (1975) investigation in Santiago indicated a 7.9% rate of infection by T. vaginalis; therefore, it can be concluded that infection maintains a fairly stable incidence in this female population.