The Prevalence of Vaginal Candida Colonization among Female Students in Bingham University

Aim: To determine the prevalence of vaginal Candida colonization among female students in Bingham University.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Bingham University, Auta balefi, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State between the months of March and July 2015.

Research Hypothesis: The prevalence of Candida albicans is not significantly high in the high vagina swab of most females; therefore the null hypothesis will be that the prevalence of Candida albicans is highly significant in the high vagina swab of most females.

Materials and Methods: High vagina swab of ninety six female students was collected and screened for the presence of Candida albicans. Questionnaires were issued to obtain demographic information. Inoculation was carried out on Sabourad Dextrose Agar, incubated for 48 hours at 37ºC and positive growth was checked for on Corn Meal Agar after 72 hours of incubation at 37ºC, positive growth was identified further by the use of the germ tube test using human serum and incubated between 2 to 4 hours.

Results: Ninety six females were screened and 25(26.0%) was infected. This reveals that the prevalence of Candida albicans was highly significant at X2 =1.758, df = 2 at .05, P =. 05. The highest prevalence was recorded among female students within the age group of 16-20 years, (15.6%).

Conclusion: This study reveals that candidiasis caused by C. albicans is a major health challenge among female students. Therefore the practice of good personal hygiene is highly recommended in order to prevent the spread of the infection.