Effect of contraceptives on the prevalence of vaginal colonization with Candida species in Edo State, Nigeria.

High vaginal swabs (HVS) obtained from 500 volunteers in Edo State, Nigeria which comprised 394 contraceptive users and 106 non-contraceptive users were screened for the prevalence of Candida species using standard procedures. Results revealed the isolation of Candida species in 246 of volunteers. These included Candida albicans 174 (38.4%), Candida pseudotropicalis 20 (4%), Candida stellatoidea 15 (3%), Candida krusei nine (1.8%), Candida guilliermondii 12 (2.4%), Candida tropicalis 11 (2.2%) and Candida glabrata five (1%). Of the 394 contraceptive users, 203 (51.5%) had Candida species isolated from them compared to 43 (40.6%) from 106 non-contraceptive users. There was significant relationship (P<0.001) between the type of contraceptive used and the prevalence of vaginal colonization. Age and marital status of the volunteers sampled had significant relationship (P<0.001) with the prevalence of vaginal colonization. Results have revealed an association between use of contraceptive and the prevalence of vaginal colonization in our environment.