The Prevalence of Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis among First Year Female Students of a Tertiary Institution in Southeastern Nigeria

Aim: To determining the prevalence of Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis infections among first year female students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, a tertiary institution in Southeastern Nigeria.

Study Design: A cross sectional exposed case study.

Place and Duration of Study: Ultramodern Diagnostic Laboratory and Research Center, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, between June and November, 2019.

Methodology: The study involved 350 randomly selected students who consented to the study. Urine and high vagina swab (HVS) samples were carefully and aseptically collected using sterile universal containers and sterile cotton swabs respectively and analysed within 30 minutes of collection. Analytical methods including plate culturing, Gram staining, wet mount preparation and germ tube tests were used to diagnose these infections.

Results: The overall results showed a Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence of 11.1% and 6.0% respectively, while 2.0% were co-infected. The subjects within the age group 21-25 years had the highest prevalence of C.albicans and T. vaginalis, 14.5% and 8.5% respectively, while subjects between the ages of 26-30 years had the least prevalence;5.5% and 0% respectively. However, a weak association was observed between C. albicans infection and age difference of the subjects (P = .11), while a strong association was observed between age difference of subjects and T. vaginalis infection (P = .04).

Conclusion: The study confirms the prevalence of these infections among the students of Ebonyi State University. There is need for provision of proper counseling on sexual behavior and genital hygiene as well as public health education for creation of awareness and sensitization for students through regular seminars is recommended.