Preliminary Survey on the Prevalence of Vaginal Candidiasis among Women Contraceptive Users Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Kano Metropolis, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of Candida albicans infection in women attending Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase specialist Hospital was investigated in relation to use of contraceptives. A total of 100 high vaginal swabs were collected and examined for Candida albicans infections using wet preparation, germ tube test and Gram-staining. A structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects to derive information on contraception practice. The study revealed an overall infection prevalence of 13.0%, without significant association with the use of contraceptives (P>0.05), frequency of contraception (P>0.05), age-groups (years) of the subjects (P>0.05), and type of marriage; polygamy (13.04%) and monogamy (12.99%) (P>0.05). However, infection prevalence was found only among age-groups 21-25 (20.0%), 26-30 (8.7%) and 31-35 (20.0%). Prevalence of Candida albicans infection concerning a type of contraceptive use is: injection (11.63%), pills (16.67%), implants (36.36%) and IUDs (0.0%), while non-users had 7.14% with the statistically significant association (P<0.05). The findings revealed little influence of contraception on the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis due to C. albicans infection with the IUDs even playing safer than other methods of contraception used by the study population.