Comparative Study of Vaginitis and Candida in Sexually Active Women in Traditional Sprawling Town in the Niger Delta, South – South Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the aetiologic agents of vaginitis in sexually active women in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The subjects were 150 randomly selected sexually active women attending antenatal, postnatal, gynaecology and family planning clinics in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of General Hospital Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Two high vaginal swab samples were taken from each pregnant and non-pregnant woman, which translated to 80 samples from pregnant and 70 samples from non-pregnant women. Microscopy and culture including biochemical tests were done for the isolation and identification of organisms. Questionnaires assessing socio-demographic characteristics of the patients were administered. The prevalence of various aetiologic agents was found to be higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. Candida albicans was more prevalent in pregnant women. Twenty eight samples (35.0%) from the pregnant women yielded C. albicans with p < 0.05. Age range of 16-30 years and ≥ 45 years had high prevalence of C. albicans, though more (40%) in pregnant women. While non-pregnant women in the age group 16-30 years had the highest prevalence of G. vaginalis, 8 (26.7%). Among pregnant women, the widowed had a higher prevalence rate of C. albicans, infection (50%) which was not statistically significant. The divorced non-pregnant women had the highest prevalence of C. albicans with p < 0.05 which was statistically significant. This study also revealed that pregnant women in their second trimester of pregnancy had more C. albicans infection, 15 (46.9%) when compared to other trimesters of pregnancy. Women who were pregnant for the first time or primigravidae had higher prevalence of C. albicans, 13 (37.1%) when compared to others. Pregnant women who use contraceptives prior to their recent pregnancies were found to have more infections of G. vaginalis, 14 (93.3%). Non-pregnant women on antibiotics had increased prevalence of C. albicans, 44.4%. The highest prevalence of C. albicans and T. vaginalis, 5 (6.3%) coinfection was seen in pregnant women. Irrespective of the women’s status, none were coinfected with the three microbial agents.