Systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence and infection risk factors of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is a globally prevalent sexually transmitted disease; however, comprehensive data on its global prevalence and incidence are relatively limited. In this study, we systematically retrieved relevant articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Ovid-Medline, and Web of Science to analyze the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and its association with various infection risk factors. Among 5,437 publications released between 1992 and 2023, 425 articles focusing on the epidemiology of T. vaginalis were identified. The results revealed a global prevalence rate of T. vaginalis of 8% (95% CI: 7%-10%), with country-specific rates ranging from 1% to 35%. The prevalence of T. vaginalis was significantly higher in the behavioral subgroups, including smoking, drug use, and not using condoms, compared to the non-infection group, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.39-2.0). Furthermore, the prevalence of T. vaginalis was significantly higher in the group with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, HSV, and Chlamydia infection compared to the non-infection group, with a pooled OR of 2.01 (95% CI: 1.48-2.72). Finally, socioeconomic factors such as being unmarried, having a low income, and unstable employment were associated with an increased risk of T. vaginalis infection, with a pooled OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.10-1.66). This study has significant public health relevance for the prevention and control of trichomoniasis.