Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in Portuguese women of childbearing age

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in Portuguese women of childbearing age. Cervicovaginal self-collected samples of 680 childbearing-age women (15–44 years) were tested for NG and TV by polymerase chain reaction. Sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural data were assessed through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. NG and TV prevalence was 1.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7−2.5%) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.5−2.1%), respectively. The prevalence of TV was significantly higher in women aged >22 years (p = .003), with >6 years after sexual intercourse (p = .003), and who reported previous pregnancy (p = .004). Our study suggests that NG and TV are rare in Portuguese women of childbearing age. However, larger epidemiological studies with a nationally representative sample of female subjects are warranted, to clarify the need for screening of these microorganisms in Portuguese women, since its prevalence is probably underestimated.

IMPACT STATEMENT

• What is already known on this subject? Studies on the prevalence of NG and TV have been performed in several developed and developing countries. However, limited data is available in Portuguese women. The detection of NG and TV is necessary because, beside the risk of transmission to sex partners, these STIs may be associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission, and ultimately with reproductive, pregnancy and perinatal complications.

• What do the results of this study add? Our study adds new findings to the body of knowledge on NG and TV prevalence in Portuguese women of reproductive age. As so, we found a low prevalence of both NG (1.3%) and TV (1.0%) in the studied population.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our results may be a step ahead to encourage future nationally representative studies evaluating the prevalence of NG and TV genital infection and, consequently, to clarify the need for screening of these microorganisms. In clinical practice, it should be highlighted the appropriate management of NG and TV infection in specific situations, such as pregnancy. Also, sexual partners must be treated to prevent the recurrences in the index cases and reduce transmission to other partners.

Keywords:

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• childbearing age women
• prevalence
• screening

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the volunteer women who participated in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro – Núcleo Regional do Norte – LPCC-NRN (Portuguese League Against Cancer – North Branch), FP-ENAS – CEBIMEB of University Fernando Pessoa, CNPq; FEDER funds through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE and Portuguese funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology), under the project UID/Multi/04546/2013, and Research Centre of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto [project no. PI86-CI-IPOP-66-2017]. ALT is a post-doctoral fellow from FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia [SFRH/BPD/111114/2015].