Prevalence of Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis among Women of Childbearing Age in Wukari Metropolis, Taraba State
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346-364
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10.58578/ajmsphr.v3i3.11789
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Authors:Andemi E. J.1*, Hemen A. I. J.2, Ronald W. A.3
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Abstract
Vulvovaginal infections remain an important reproductive health concern among women of childbearing age, yet evidence regarding their prevalence and associated factors in Wukari Metropolis is limited. This study examined the prevalence of Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis among 163 consenting women of reproductive age in Wukari Metropolis. Vaginal swab specimens were examined macroscopically and microscopically, and C. albicans was confirmed using the germ-tube test. No T. vaginalis infection was detected; therefore, subsequent analyses focused on C. albicans. The overall prevalence of C. albicans was 60.1%, ranging from 35.5% among women aged 30–34 years to 100% among those aged 40–49 years (χ² = 42.30, p < 0.001). Prevalence was significantly higher among women with informal (86.4%) or primary education (87.9%) than among those with tertiary education (41.9%; χ² = 26.69, p < 0.001), and among married women (69.2%) compared with single women (48.6%; χ² = 7.13, p = 0.008). All participants with diabetes and 75% of those living with HIV were infected, with a combined prevalence of 91.3% (χ² = 4.11, p = 0.043). Infection was also significantly associated with dyspareunia (80.2%), dysuria (69.7%), and vaginal discharge (52.4%; all p < 0.05), as well as self-medication (74.3%; χ² = 10.38, p = 0.006) and the use of feminine hygiene products (χ² = 4.37, p = 0.037). These findings demonstrate a high prevalence of C. albicans and an absence of detectable T. vaginalis infection in the study population. They underscore the need for targeted screening, improved reproductive health education, appropriate clinical management, and interventions addressing modifiable practices and health conditions associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis.
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