Isolation of Candida in the cervicovaginal smears of non pregnant women living in riverside area of Maranhão State, Brazil, 2012

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis and factors associated with its occurrence in non-pregnant women living on the banks of the Tocantins river, assisted by Women's Health Program in the Municipality of Imperatriz, Maranhão State, Brazil. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical and cytological data were considered and obtained from the Pap smear and microbiological culture for fungi. In order to isolate fungus it was used culture on agar plate using a selective and differential media for Candida, besides Petri dishes. The prevalence of Candida fungi in cervicovaginal smear was 42.86%, with over 50% of symptomatic cases. It was identified that 28% of women with vaginal candidiasis were in the age group from 20 to 29 years old, 37.4% had incomplete elementary school, 66.4% were brown color, the majority (63.6%) had as occupation the housework, 58% lived on a monthly income of one to three minimum wages and 63.5% reported having a steady partner (considering married women and in a stable relationship). Among the isolated and identified Candida species, a C. albicans was the most prevalent. It is concluded that the studied population does not have enough knowledge about vaginal candidiasis, suggesting the necessity to reinforce the educational practices of guidance and education of their habits in order to control and prevent this infection.