VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE: PREVALENCE AND ASOCIATED FACTORS

Abstract

Candida overgrowth causes vulvovaginal candidiasis. Most women of reproductive age become infected once, but some get re-infected, leading to issues such as pre-term labour, infertility, and neo-natal illnesses. This study determined the prevalence and associated factors to Vulvovaginal candidiasis among women of reproductive age at a municipality in Ghana. The study recruited 326 reproductive-aged women using a descriptive cross-sectional design and a simple random sampling method. After an aseptic vaginal swab, participants were asked to fill out a standardized research questionnaire. The variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to assess the link between vulvovaginal candidiasis and its associated factors. The study found 38.7% vulvovaginal candidiasis prevalence among reproductive-aged women. Younger age <20 years, urban settlement and secondary education were associated with vaginal candidiasis. Tight fitting clothes is also a risk factor for vaginal candidiasis. Regular health education should be rendered to women on wearing tight-fitting underwear to reduce their risk of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Women should be encouraged to visit health facilities to screen for vulvovaginal Candidiasis as it will aid in the early detection and management of vulvovaginal candidiasis problems among reproductive-age women.