Prevalence and risk factors for vaginal candidiasis among women seeking primary care for genital infections in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and risk factors for vaginal candidiasis (VC) among women seeking primary care for genital infections.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Ilala Municipal Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.


METHODS
Four hundred and sixty four women presenting with complaints of genital infections.


RESULTS
Of the 464 women examined, 177 (38.1%) had abnormal vaginal discharge, 68(14.7%) had genital ulcers, 272 (58.6%) had genital pruritus, 18 (3.9%) had genital warts and 58 (12.5%) had chancre. The prevalencies of VC, bacterial vaginosis, HIV, T vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae and syphilis were 45%, 48.4%, 22%, 93%, 1.5% and 4.3%, respectively. The occurrence of VC was positively associated with HIV, (OR = 1.81, 95% CI (1.0-2.67), bacterial vaginosis; (OR = 2.6, 95% CI (1.7-3.9), genital pruritus; (OR = 1.8 1, 95% CI (1.2-2.7) genital discharge; (OR = 1.867, 95% (1.28-2.73) and negatively with T. vaginalis (OR = 0.27, 95% CI (0.12 - 0.6), occupation (OR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.35-0.86)) and with education (OR = 0.43, 95% CI (0.11-0.73). There were increased but non-significant odds for VC in patients with syphilis (OR = 1.6 95% CI (0.6-4.3) and venereal warts (OR = 2.5 95% CI (0.92-6.8) VC was not associated with N. gonorrhoeae, genital ulcers, age at first intercourse, number of sexual partners, marital status or antibiotic usage.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of vaginal candidiasis among women with genital infections should be taken into account when updating policies concerning syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases. More gender specific approach to syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections in females should be considered.
Namkinga
L A
LA
Applied Microbiology Unit, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Matee
M I N
MI
Kivaisi
A K
AK
Moshiro
C
C
D000328:Adult; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013636:Tanzania