Pathology and Microbiology Unit, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
Microbiology Laboratory Section, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, North Central Regional Health Authority, Trinidad and Tobago.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2022 Mar;26(3):46-53. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2022/v26i3.6.
Vaginal Candidiasis and associated epidemiological risk factors prevalent among a cross section of pregnant women attending tertiary hospital in Trinidad and Tobago was evaluated. Standardized questionnaire was used to survey 492 pregnant women over a period of 10 months in 2019. Vaginal swab was collected and processed using standard microbiological laboratory methods for phenotypic identification. Data were analyzed using SPSS to identify potential risk factors. Chi-squared (ꭓ2) test and logistic regression tests examined associations and odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 44.9% with Candida albicans as predominant species identified (62%, N=492). Vaginal candidiasis was statistically significant for several risk factors, including second trimester (p = 0.03), age group 26 - 34 years (p=003), history of masturbation especially during the last 48hours prior to the swabbing (p=0.05), and wearing of pants as opposed to skirt clothes (p=0.04). In conclusion, several epidemiological risk factors are associated vaginal candidiasis among cross section of pregnant women in the country. Patient education, microbiological investigations and appropriate treatment will improve antenatal healthcare delivery in the country.
本研究评估了特立尼达和多巴哥一家三级医院孕妇群体中阴道念珠菌病及相关流行病学危险因素的流行情况。2019 年期间，我们采用标准化问卷对 492 名孕妇进行了为期 10 个月的调查。通过标准微生物实验室方法采集阴道拭子并进行处理，用于表型鉴定。采用 SPSS 进行数据分析，以确定潜在的危险因素。卡方（ꭓ2）检验和逻辑回归检验用于检查关联和优势比及其相应的 95%置信区间。外阴阴道念珠菌病的患病率为 44.9%，其中以白念珠菌为主（62%，N=492）。阴道念珠菌病与多个危险因素具有统计学显著相关性，包括孕中期（p=0.03）、26-34 岁年龄组（p=0.03）、最近 48 小时内有自慰史（p=0.05）和穿裤子而非裙子（p=0.04）。总之，该国孕妇群体中存在多种与阴道念珠菌病相关的流行病学危险因素。对患者进行教育、微生物学检查和适当的治疗，将改善该国的产前保健服务。
