EPIDEMIOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF TRICHOMONAS-VAGINALIS INJECTION IN INFLAMMATORY SMEARS

Infections of the lower reproductive tract are common in Indian women of reproductive age. Hospital-based cytologic screening suns undertake n on 63,265 women. The smears were examined for the presence of specif ic infections, such as Candida, herpes simplex virus, human papillomav irus, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Chlamydia. This paper highlights the prevalence of TV infection in inflammatory cervical smears. Among the various infections detected, the rate of TV infection was the high est (5.1%). On further analysis the rate of TV infection showed an inc reasing trend up to the age of 49 years; an inverse association was ob served with the educational status of the women. The prevalence was hi gh in women with clinical signs (vaginitis, 6.9%) and low in those wit h a prolapsed uterus (1.2%) as compared to a normal cervix. These: obs ervations reveal the need for providing proper counseling and educatio n on sexual behavior and genital hygiene besides treatment to control and prevent these infections.