ALO MOSES NNAEMEKA1, UGAH UCHENNA IYIOKU AND OWOLABI JACOB OLUWABUSUYI1
Abstract
This work investigated co-infection of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans among women of child bearing age in Ebonyi L.G.A. of Ebonyi State. Using 1000 women within the age range of 22-40 years that were randomly selected. T. vaginalis was isolated with Modified Diamond broth while the presence of C. albicans was confirmed by Germ tube technique. Out of the 1000 participants, 50.4% (504) participants were infected by either T. vaginalis or Candida albicans. Prevalence of co-infection by age was highest within the age group 22-28, with a prevalence of 85 (20.68%), followed by those at age 29-35 and least within age bracket 36-40 years who had a prevalence of (70) 16.28% and (7) 4.59% respectively. Prevalence of co-infection by social status and personal cleanliness which are directly proportional to the level of education showed that illiterates had the highest prevalence followed by the educated with a prevalence of (215) 46.6% and (27) 5.21% respectively. Economic background had highest prevalence of co-infection on the unemployed followed by employed the prevalence were (201) 28.84% and (23) 7.59% respectively. As a result of these findings, we recommend that: women especially those within the ages of childbearing age should improve on their personal hygiene; encouragement of girl child education, sensitization of women on the dangers of contacting Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans by health workers; The significant association of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans with certain epidemiological factors underscores the need for educating women regarding genital hygiene, use of well ventilated cotton underclothing and importance of accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.