Abstract

Many cases of vulvovaginitis are caused by Candida albicans. This study investigated the prevalence of C. albicans among patients attending health care facilities in Nasarawa State. Nigeria. A total of 1200 High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) samples were collected across the senatorial zones in Nasarawa State namely; Nasarawa North (NN), Nasarawa South (NS) and Nasarawa West (NW). The Candida albicans were isolated, identified and confirmed using RapID Yeast Plus System. The overall prevalence of Candida albicans was 12% (144/1200). The prevalence in relation to senatorial zone were; NN (3.8%), NS (4.2%) and NW (4.0%). The prevalence across the senatorial zones in relation to pregnancy status was higher in pregnant women (68.1%) than the non-pregnant women (31.9%). The distribution of the isolates across the senatorial zones in relation to the marital status of the pregnant women was higher among the married (65.3%) than the single (10.2%). The prevalence in relation to age of women in NN and NS were higher in 31-40 years (16.7%); but in NW the prevalence was higher in 21-30 years (18.1%). The distribution of the isolates in relation to educational status of the women shows higher prevalence among the Dropouts (attempted- education) in NN (14.5%), NS (19.6%) and NW (22.5%), respectively. The prevalence in relation to the occupation of the women indicated higher prevalence among the House wife in NW (17.0%) and NS (11.0%) respectively; Trader and Tailoring in NW (7.5%). In relation to the type of toilet used, the distribution of the isolates in women was higher among those who used Water system in NN (16.4%), NS (14.9%) and NW (13.4%) respectively.