PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS AMONG ATTENDEES OF THE SPECIAL TREATMENT CLINIC, UCH IBADAN.

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common female genital tract infection that has been known to affect 75 % of women at least once in their lifetime. It is a disease associated with significant morbidity and health expenditure. In this environment, there's paucity of data on factors associated with WC. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of Vulvovaginal candidiasis and of other reproductive tract infections/ sexually transmitted infections (RTVSTI) among female patients seen at the special treatment clinic, UCH Ibadan, to evaluate concurrent infection of VVC with other RTVSTI and to identify factors associated with VVC. Methodology: A five year retrospective review of data collected between July 2003 and June 2008 for female attendees of the special treatment clinic University College Hospital Ibadan was carried out. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, and management were collected and analyzed. Result: Four hundred and ninety four records were examined. The mean age of subjects was 30 years (SD 9.92). Commonest presentation was vaginal discharge plus vulval itching (27%). The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 30.6%. The prevalences of bacterial vaginosis, genital warts and chlamydia cervicitis were 22.90/4, 14.2%, and 11.1% respectively, while those of herpes genitalis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, and syphilis were 3.8%, 3%, 1.2%, and 0.4% respectively. Co-infection was seen in 40% of subjects with WC the highest being seen with bacterial vaginosis (19.2%) followed by genjtal warts (7.3%). Significant associated factor with VVC in this population was age, less than 40 years, (OR 2.85, P= 0.035). No association was found with antibiotic ingestion nor with pregnancy. Conclusion: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the commonest genital infection in the study population. Young women are at higher risk and concurrent infections especially with bacterial vaginosis are quite common.