Prevalence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Amongst Undergraduate Female Students of a Southwest University in Nigeria

Abstract

One of the infection that affects women of reproductive age which is difficult to hide based on the discomfort presented is vaginal candidiasis. This study was conducted to investigate the level of vaginal discharge causing fungal infection among undergraduate female students of the university. High vaginal swab (HVS) were collected from 150 female students of the Federal university of Technology Akure. Ondo State, Nigeria. between September 2024 to May 2025, aged 16 – 30 years that visited the University Health Centre with complaints and symptoms viz a viz; discomfort, painful urination, discharge and intense itching in the vagina, etc. Laboratory analysis was conducted, HVS samples were processed, identified microscopically, culturally and biochemically using standard procedure. The prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among female undergraduate students diagnosed was 32 (21.3%) of the 150 participants. Out of the 32 positive samples 28 (87.5%) were Candida albicans while 4 (12.5%) were Candida tropicalis . In the age distribution of the study, 16-18 years was 8 (25%), 19 -24 years was 18 (56.25%) and 25 -30 years was 6 (18.75%). The most highest distribution of the study were within 19 – 24 years which accounted for 56.25% (18) while age 25 -30 years accounted for 6 (18.75%) which indicated the least distribution. The findings indicate low prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among female students of the Federal university of Technology, Akure. Nigeria. However, though the prevalence was low but significant, therefore efforts to enhance and improve hostel sanitation, personal hygiene and minimize use of tight pants are better approach to reduce it occurrence thereby curtail the risk of the fungal infection.