Prevalence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Fertile and Sub-fertile Women Attending Healthcare Facilities in Port Harcourt Nigeria: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infection, which causes the inflammation of the vulva and vagina caused by Candida albicans or other non-Candida albicans species. It is very common among women in the reproductive age, among whom, it is the commonest cause of vaginal itching and discharge. It is also the second commonest vaginal infection after bacterial vaginosis. This study was conceived to ascertain the prevalence of VVC in fertile and sub-fertile women attending public and private healthcare facilities.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study involved a review of laboratory records of 290 females attending public and private healthcare facilities and walk-in patients from across Port Harcourt between January and December 2018. The review focused on cultures of High Vaginal Swab (HVS) specimens. The specimens included in the study were those with complete records of the age, reasons for seeking investigation, marital status, childbirth, and the isolated organisms.

Results: The culture records indicate an overall prevalence of 57.2%. Across age groups, the highest prevalence of 67.3% was found within the 23-27 age brackets, while the least was the >42 age bracket recording a prevalence of 23.3%. Within the classification of marital status, the singles had 64.7%, while married women had 51.0%.; under childbirth, those who had children recorded 52.1%, as against 62.3% for those yet to have children. With respect to fertility status, the fertile women were 86.1% and sub fertile women 51.1%.

Conclusion: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is associated with increased risks of complications during pregnancy, including premature rupture of membranes and poor pregnancy outcomes including chorioamnionitis, preterm labour and. congenital cutaneous infections. While this study has succeeded in determining the prevalence of VVC in the study area and population, more efforts need to be put to unravel and clarify the risk factors, consequences, preventive measures and improved outcomes for treatment.