IMPACTS OF TRICOMONIASIS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the world. Its etiological agent is the facultative anaerobic protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis, which infects the genitourinary tract of men and women. It is transmitted in most documented cases through direct sexual contact. Trichomoniasis is a public health problem, mainly due to the increase in prevalence in women of reproductive age, which results in cases with serious complications such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical cancer. Objective: The objectives of this article are to describe, through a literary review, the influence of Trichomonas vaginalis on the transmission of HIV and HPV and to identify the impacts of trichomoniasis on women's health and gestational development. Materials and Methods: This research is an integrative review carried out through analysis of articles and other documents found in virtual libraries such as sciElo (Scientific Library Online) and Google Scholar. Through this, results on the impacts of trichomoniasis on women's health were discussed. The search for articles was carried out using the descriptors “STI”, “Vaginal infection”, “Gestational period”, “Women's health” and “Trichomoniasis”. Results: Issues such as risk factors must be considered, where those most affected are individuals with some form of vulnerability, with socioeconomic vulnerability being the most contributory to the issue under debate. Finally, policies and campaigns are needed to educate the population about trichomoniasis and other STIs, thus promoting sexual education through educational lectures, social networks, TV and other means of communication, with the aim of disseminating information about it.