Assessment of Risk Factors for Developing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Among Women at Various Age Groups

Irene V.R^1*, C. I. Sajeeth¹, V.Karthikeyan¹ and Sabitha J²

¹Department of Pharmacy Practice, Grace College of Pharmacy, Kodunthirapully, Palakkad, Kerala-678004. India.

²Gynecologist- obstetrician, Paalana institute of medical sciences, Palakkad, Kerala-678004, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: irenevadakkan@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/3095

ABSTRACT: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the second most frequent vaginal infection in women and occurs as an opportunistic infection generally caused by Candida albicans.The objective of the research is to determine the risk factors for developing VVC in women of reproductive age, pregnancy, and postmenopausal age. A 6-month prospective study was carried out in pregnant women, post-menopausal women, and women of reproductive age. In MS Excel 2007, the obtained cases were entered, and descriptive statistics were utilized to calculate the percentage of various parameters.The research consisted of a total of 90 individuals, whose participants ranged in age from 18 to 65. VVC was more common (40%) among females there in the reproductive ages of 18 to 35 (86.7%) of the 90 patients who don't follow regular exercise and 54.4 % have a BMI range (of 25-29.9) Overweight. Obesity, past medical and medication history such as Diabetes mellitus (27.7%), and antibiotic usage (23.3%) were major risk factors for acquiring VVC.  Co-morbidities like diabetic mellitus, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infections, obesity, as well as PCOD are the main risk factors to cause VVC. Antibiotic usage in the past, the consumption of steroids, and an absence of regular exercise all contribute to the emergence of VVC.

KEYWORDS: Candida albicans; Prevalence; Risk factors of VVC; Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC)

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