Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Vulvovaginitis Caused by Candida albicans in Tignère (Cameroon): a case study at the District Hospital

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) describes infections of the vulva and/or vagina that are brought on by yeast belonging to the genus Candida. One of the most well-known fungi that causes these illnesses is Candida albicans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and identify the factors associated with C. albicans infection among women seeking consultation at Tignère District Hospital. A prospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive investigation was carried out in the laboratory department of the hospital. Women were recruited using a consent form and questionnaire, and a cervical-vaginal swab was taken from each participant. Three methods were used to examine these samples: direct examination, culture on Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol, and a germ tube test. XLSTAT was used to analyze the data with a significance threshold set at 5%. A variable was considered noteworthy if P< 0.05. There were 80 patients in the research population, ranging in age from [15–54]. The most represented age group was [25–34], followed by [15–24]. The prevalence of C. albicans infection was 48.80%, while the co-infection with C. albicans and Gardnerella was 10.00%. Type III pathogenic flora (41.25%, n = 33) was highly represented in the participant distribution based on vaginal flora type, followed by normal flora type II (33.75%, n = 27). Furthermore, the factors associated with C. albicans infection with P < 0.05 were parity (primiparous, multiparous, nulliparous with respective frequencies of 65.4%, 46.7%, and 11.1%) (P = 0.018), the use
of public toilets (rarely, no, yes, with respective frequencies of 60.5%, 60.0%, and 31.3%) (P = 0.038), anal cleaning method (back to front, front to back with respective frequencies of 63.5% and 21.4%) (P = 0.001), and vaginal flora type (type IV, type III, type II, type I with respective frequencies of 100.0%, 72.7%, 25.9%, and 7.7%) (P < 0.0001). The type of underwear was marginally associated with C. albicans infection (P = 0.056). This study reveals a high prevalence of C. albicans infection among these women. However, given the high rate of pathological flora observed and certain identified associated factors, the issue of intimate hygiene among women remains a concern.

Keywords: Prevalence, Vulvovaginal candidiasis, Candida albicans, Factors associated.