Chijioke A. Nsofor^1,, Cynthia E. Obijuru², Chika V. Ohalete²

Candida albicans, normal flora of the vagina, is endogenous opportunistic yeast, which causes secondary infection in individuals with some underlying immune-compromised conditions. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors for C. albicans among asymptomatic female students of Imo State University Owerri (IMSU), southeast Nigeria. High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) specimens were randomly collected from freely consenting 284 female undergraduate students between the ages of 17 and 26 years, residing in six different hostels within the Owerri metropolis. The participants also completed a simple structured questionnaire assessing demographic data and risk factors of candidiasis. Each HVS specimen was cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) containing appropriate antibiotics to suppress bacterial growth and incubated aerobically at 37¡ãC. C. albicans was identified by conventional microbiological techniques. The overall prevalence rate of C. albicans in the HVS specimen of 284 young women studied was 37.7%, with the highest rate of 45.0% observed among students between the age group 23-25 while the lowest prevalence (20.6%) was among those between ages 17-19 years. Analysis of the participants¡¯ response to the questionnaire indicates that C. albicans carrier rate may be associated with poor personal hygiene. Statistical analysis showed that prevalence rate of C. albicans among the students from different hostels was not significantly different in any of the sampled hostels P<0.05. This study indicates that the prevalence of vaginal candida colonization among female students is highly significant. Predisposing factors such as the use of tight underwear, indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be avoided and the need for good and adequate personal hygiene should be encouraged.

Candida albicans, female students, prevalence and risk factors