Open AccessPrevalence of vaginal infections and associated lifestyles of students in the university of Cape Coast, Ghana
Author(s) -
Gloria Baaba Aubyn,
Daniel Nii Aryee Tagoe
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(13)60068-7
Subject(s) - bacterial vaginosis , vaginitis , urine , medicine , vaginal secretion , candida albicans , staphylococcus saprophyticus , cape , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcus aureus , staphylococcus , obstetrics , gynecology , biology , bacteria , archaeology , history , genetics
Objective: To determine the prevalence of vaginal infections and associated lifestyles of students\udvisiting the University of Cape Coast Hospital.\udMethods: Fifty female students presenting with clinical symptoms of vaginitis were sampled.\udOne hundred samples made up of 50 urine and 50 higher vaginal swabs (HVS) were obtained from\udpatients and questionnaire administered. Samples were wet prepared, examined microscopically,\udand cultured on blood and chocolate agars for 24 h at (35依2) °C. Colonial morphology, Gram\udreactions and biochemical tests were used for the identification of isolates.\udResults: There were high percentages of pus cells (64%), epithelial cells (62%) and yeast cells (56%)\udin all urine samples. Bacterial isolates included Staphylococcus aureus (28%) and (22%), Klebsiella\udspp. (6%) and (4%) in urine and HVS samples respectively; Escherichia coli in urine (18%) and\udCandida in HVS (16%). The overall prevalence of vaginitis was 66%, including bacterial vaginosis\ud28%, Candida infection 22% and co-infection of bacterial and Candida 16%. Lifestyle data showed\udall sampled students were sexually active, 48% used contraceptives, 54% used antimicrobial\udagents, and 92% prefered wearing of trousers and shorts.\udConclusions: The present study indicates prevalence of vaginal infection among female students,\udwhich strongly correlates with student lifestyle. Education on lifestyle modifications will go a long\udway in reducing the prevalence of vaginitis