Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis in a black population.

Trichomonas vaginalis infection (TVI) was found by examination of Pap smears in 25% of 3,005 unselected urban black women being screened for cancer of the cervix and vagina. The incidence was 22% in the group under 29 years of age; 69% in those between 30 and 59; and 9% in those over 60. Women who had had a hysterectomy had 16% lower incidence of TVI than did the controls. Class 1 reports (atypia, metaplasia, hyperplasia) were obtained in 10% of the entire group. Cytologic changes were present in 19% of the women with TVI. Women who had had hysterectomy had a 40% less chance of having a class 1 report compared with controls. Class 1 reports occurred 2.7 times more frequently in TVI than in uninfected controls.