Prevalence of Vaginal Candidiasis and Risk Factors: Case of Patients at the Efoulan District Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis and associated risk factors among women attending the gynecology section of the Efoulan District Hospital in Yaoundé. Patients and procedures: In this cross-sectional study, 187 patients were enrolled. All cervico-vaginal samples were delivered to the hospital’s microbiology lab where they were cultured on Sabouraud Chloramphenicol and Chromagar medium agar after the patients filled out a questionnaire requesting their socio-demographic information. Results: These were the findings: 51 women, or 27.27%, had vaginal candidiasis. With a prevalence of 70.59%, Candida albicans was the most prevalent species, followed by Candida tropicalis at 13.23%. The prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among women who attended prenatal clinics increased to 45.09%. Women in the West region of Cameroon suffered more from vaginal candidiasis (30/51), i.e., 58.82%, and the difference was significant compared with women in other regions of Cameroon. Women in couples were more exposed to vaginal candidiasis, with a total prevalence of 94.56% (48/51). Women at the university level and women in student occupations were more represented with regard to vaginal candidiasis; the respective prevalences were 64.70% (33/51) and 35.29% (18/51). Conclusion: Candida albicans remains the dominant species in vaginal candidiasis. Women attending antenatal clinics are more likely to suffer from vaginal candidiasis, underscoring the need to raise awareness and educate women about the prevention of genital infections.