1Ochekpe, O. S., 1Umeh, E. U., 1Amali, O., 1Ogbonna, I. O., 2Adikwu, P., and *2Agbo, A. A.
1Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
2Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria *Correspondence to: ustynameh@gmail.com
Abstract:
Background: Candida albicans accounts for the most common type of opportunistic fungal infection affecting human heath globally, with more than a billion cases annually. The prevalence is reportedly high in resource-limited settings. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of vaginal C. albicans among women attending Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria.
Methodology: Vaginal swab samples were collected from a total of 698 women attending both the Outpatient Department (OPD) and the HIV clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi. Candida albicans was isolated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, and confirmed by the germ tube test and growth on CHROMAgar plate.
Results: The isolation rate of C. albicans among the 698 selected women was 49.0% (n=342). The highest prevalence was among women aged 41–50 years (90.7%, n=78/86) and widowed (58.0%, n=29/50). Significant associations were observed between C. albicans prevalence and variables such as location (χ²=15.497, p<0.0001), age (χ²=207.35, p<0.0001), marital status (χ²=7.833, p=0.0199), occupation (χ²=14.668, p=0.0054), and HIV status (χ²=6.578, p=0.0373)
Conclusion: Public health education programmes should be implemented to raise awareness about Candida albicans infections.
Keywords: Candida albicans, vagina, HIV status, occupation, age, gender, location
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