Candida vaginitis among symptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Mwanza, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE

This study was done to determine the patterns of Candida spp. causing vaginitis and associated factors among pregnant women attending antennal clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania.

RESULTS

A total of 197 (65.6%) out of 300 non-repetitive swabs had positive growth of Candida spp. Candida albicans 125 (63.4%) was the most predominant isolated specie followed by C. tropicalis 35 (17.8%) and C. glabrata 33 (16.8%). Laboratory confirmed candida vaginitis was independently predicted by douching practices (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-7.5 P = 0.007), history of antibiotics use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.02-3.0, P = 0.04) and low social economic status (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.1-3.7 P = 0.02). About two-third of pregnant women with clinical features of vaginitis attending antenatal clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania were confirmed to have Candida vaginitis mainly caused by Candida albicans.