Occurrence of vaginal candidiasis among female students of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Vaginal disorders such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and Chlamydia trachomatis infections are common among women of reproductive age, occurring with high prevalence during pregnancy. This study investigated the incidences of vaginal candidiasis among female students in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt between Julys to September, 2021. A total population of 150 female students was used with their full consent. High vaginal swab (HVS) and endocervical swab (ES) samples was collected from each of the participating female students. The swab samples were separately inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar and incubated aerobically at 37 °C for 48 hours. An overall prevalence of 38 (25.3%) out of 150 female students that were sampled was observed. Out of 50 females sampled from each of the three Hostels, the highest frequency was recorded in Hostel A with 18 (36%), followed by Stella Hostel with 12 (24%) and the least was in Salvation Hostel with 8(6%) cases. The results revealed that students between the age range of 21-24 were more infected with the yeast with 18(36%), while those in the age range of 17-20 and 25-28 showed the same level of prevalence of 20%.The outcome of this study indicated involvement of Candida species in vulvo-vaginitis among female students of the institution. Sex-education workshops should be conducted to enlighten the female students on the clinical implications of Candida albicans in the development of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis.