The Prevalence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in Iranian Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; [شیوع تریکوموناس واژینالیس در زنان ایرانی: مرور سیتماتیک و متاآنالیز]



Hojjati M ; Rashidi M ; Khaleghi AA ; Nasirian M ; Faghihi SH ; Mohammadi M
Source: Tehran University Medical Journal Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the main causes of vaginitis and cervical inflammation worldwide. Almost half of sexually transmitted and curable diseases worldwide can be assessed through the examination of this disease, so the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of trichomoniasis in Iranian women. Methods: This study is a review of the SID, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases, conducted up to September 2023. The extracted data were analyzed using CMA software (version 2). A search of articles in Science Direct, SID, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement criteria, including systematic search, screening of articles, and selection of appropriate studies. The words used for the search and final review in this systematic review were determined based on MESH Terms in the PubMed database. These keywords that were used and selected in this study were in English and Persian. The final information obtained from the studies was reviewed and analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA, Version 2) software, and finally the heterogeneity of the studies was examined with the I2 test. Results: Based on the search for studies and their screening, 22 studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. This study included a sample size of 49,990 Iranian women who were included in the study. In the heterogeneity analysis based on the studies obtained, the heterogeneity was 99.7. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, the random effects method was used for the final analysis. The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in Iranian women was reported to be 9.3 (95% CI: 4.6-18) based on the 22 final studies and meta-analysis. The publication bias analysis indicated the absence of bias in the studies (p: 0.175). Conclusion: Based on the prevalence report in the meta-analysis, a relatively high prevalence was reported in Iranian women, and this situation requires more awareness raising through health centers to families, as well as care and screening of women in these centers and also in obstetric centers. Copyright © 2025 Hojjatiet al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited.