Sociodemographic and Behavioural Correlates of Bacterial Vaginosis and Trichomonas Vaginalis Co-Infection at Enrolment among Pregnant Women in Edo State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are common vaginal infections during pregnancy and have been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Although several sociodemographic and behavioural factors have been implicated in their occurrence, evidence on factors associated with BV and TV co-infection among pregnant women remains limited in Nigeria. This study assessed the sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis co-infection at enrolment among pregnant women attending antenatal care. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 pregnant women attending antenatal booking clinics at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Participants between 14- and 26-weeks’ gestation were recruited consecutively. Sociodemographic and behavioural data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Two high vaginal swabs were obtained from each participant. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed using Amsel's criteria, while Trichomonas vaginalis infection was identified by saline wet mount microscopy. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Associations between participant characteristics and diagnosis were assessed using the chi-square test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The mean age of participants was 28.39 ± 4.93 years. Candidiasis was the most common diagnosis, occurring in 99 (45.8%) participants, followed by bacterial vaginosis in 66 (30.6%), candidiasis with Trichomonas vaginalis co-infection in 37 (17.1%), no infection in 11 (5.1%), and candidiasis with bacterial vaginosis co-infection in 3 (1.4%). Vaginal douching was reported by 89 (41.2%) participants, inappropriate antibiotic use by 106 (49.1%), and antiseptic vaginal wash use by 70 (32.4%). There were no statistically significant associations between diagnosis and age group (p = 0.215), parity (p = 0.275), high-risk partner status (p = 0.495), previous pelvic inflammatory disease (p = 0.101), or other behavioural characteristics examined. Bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis-related infections remain common among pregnant women at antenatal enrolment. These findings suggest that reliance on risk-based screening alone may miss infected women and support consideration of routine microbiological screening during antenatal care.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Afekhobe J.S.B., Irhiogbe W.O., Yaya O.B., Isenalumhe A.S., Ogbiti M.I. , Igene I.C., Ojeh-Oziegbe O., Ikhifa E.C., Nwankwo C.C., Ogbiti M.O., Ogbiti J.A. (Author)
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