Microflora Imbalance Related Vaginal Infections among Female Senior High School Students in Navrongo, Ghana

Abstract

Vaginal infections affect most females during their lifetime, with approximately 50% having two or more episodes of vaginal candidiasis. The study was conducted to assess the incidence of Candida, bacteria and Lactic acid bacteria deficiency related vaginal infections among female senior high school students. Seventy-two high vaginal swabs were obtained from consenting students for laboratory analysis and a structured questionnaire administered to assess symptoms, risk factors and demographic information. Methods employed in laboratory analysis included wet mount, whiff test, clue cell test, pH test, Gram staining and culture. The results revealed 40% (29) of participants were infected with Candida while 14% (10) were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Lactic acid bacteria which are supposed to be a normal flora in a healthy vagina were isolated in only 29% (21) of the participant who were between the ages of 14 to 22 years. For symptoms, 100% (72) of the participants had vaginal discharge, 68% (49), 63% (45) and 18% (13) had itching, irritation and burning sensation respectively. Among the risk factors, sexual activity recorded the highest 76% (55), 61% (44) douched and 32% (23) were on antibiotics. The incidence of Candida vaginitis especially was high in the study population and this may be due to few participants having Lactic acid bacteria isolated from their vagina and this may also explain the incidence of bacterial vaginosis.