The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans infection in the lower genital tracts of antenatal patients in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria

Aims: To determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albican infection among anasymptomatic pregnant population and to document their pregnancy outcomes.Methods: This was a prospective study involving antenatal clinic attendees at the Ebonyi State UniversityTeaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. They were randomly recruited and informed consent obtained. Vaginalspecimens were collected from them and analyzed in the laboratory. They were followed up till delivery andpregnancy outcomes documented.Results: Two hundred expectant mothers were recruited. The prevalence rate of Trichomonas vaginalis andCandida albicans were 0.5% and 27.5% respectively. Due to the high dropout rate in the study, it wasimpossible to make any reasonable inference about the pregnancy outcomes associated with these conditions.Conclusion: There is probably the need for the use of more sophisticated methods for the detection ofTrichomonas vaginalis. The existing methods in most laboratories in the country may not be adequate. Thereis also probably the need for a larger sample size and a stricter follow up of the patients in order to documentany adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with these conditions.Keywords: Prevalence; Trichomonas vaginalis; Candida albicans; antenatal careDOI: 10.3126/njog.v4i1.3325Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology June-July 2009; 4(1): 11-14