Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is the occurrence of
more than three episodes of Candida infection in the vulva and vaginal area of women in a
year. Candida infection is a yeast infection caused by various fungal species in the
Candida family. RVCC is a global health problem of women with higher burdens in
women with immunocompromising comorbidities and those with low occupational,
environmental and personal health hygiene.
AIM: This study aimsat assessing the burden of RVVC in reproductive-aged women and
highlighting the factors associated with the occurrence of RVVC.
METHODS: This was a descriptive (cross-sectional) study aimed at describing the
prevalence and identifying the factors associated with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
(RVCC) occurring in reproductive-aged (15-49 years) female patients visiting selected
hospitals in the Ga East Metropolis in Accra. The outcome variable was recurrent
vulvovaginal candidiasis. The exposure variables were the factors defined a priori as
associated with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis including age, marital status,
occupation, and pregnancy status. Random sampling techniques were used to select 160
female patients in their reproductive ages. Data was collected with the help of structured
questionnaires and an in-depth interview guide. Collected data were entered into Microsoft
Excel spreadsheet and imported into Stata version 15 software for statistical analysis.
Initial analysis of data included tabulation of primary statistics and graphical
representation of age groups of patients having RVVC. Chi-square tests of association
were done to assess the association between the explanatory variable sand RVVC.
Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions models were fitted to determine the
factors associated with RVCC.
RESULTS: A total of 160 study participants were enrolled in the research. The females
used in the study were between the ages of 18-45 with mean age of 28.9 years.
A logistic regression for each of the sociodemographic factors was also not statistically
significant. Logistic regression of the age groups 24-29, 30-35, 36-41 and above 42
against the 18-23 age group showed a statistically insignificant value for all except the age
group 24-29. This group also had the highest proportion of participants with RVVC
infection. The result for these sociodemographic characteristics when logistic regression was performed was statistically not significant for all the sub-groups under occupation,
religion and marital status. For the age however, the age group of 24-29 showed a
statistically significant odds ratio, 6.3 (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION: The research showed that the age range of 24-29 had a higher chance of
being infected with RVCC as compared to other age ranges. Thus, this age group has a
higher burden of the disease than all other age groups. The burden of RVVC also rested
more on office workers, the single females and Christians among the occupational, marital
status and religious group classification. The occurrence of RVVC was not associated with
sexual activity, and education.