Prevalence of Candida albicans among Women Attending Federal Medical Centre Asaba, South-South, Nigeria.

Four hundred(400)High Vaginal Swabs(HVS) were carefully and aseptically collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant and non pregnant women aged 18-49 years. The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Wet preparation of the samples were examined microscopically and the swabs were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) plates and incubated at 370C for 3-4 days. The overall prevalence of Candida albicans was 137(34.25%). Among this number 96(36.36%) of the symptomatic women had Candida albicans while 41(30.14%) asymptomatic women as well had Candida albicans. This investigation recommends good personal hygiene and regular check up for women domiciled in this area since C. albicans poses a major health challenge to avoid complicated health problems. Keywords: Candida albicans, asymptomatic, prevalence, candidiasis