TITLE:
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Trichomoniasis among Women Attending Three Healthcare Facilities in Brazzaville
AUTHORS:
Louis Régis Dossou-Yovo, Mondesir Irvin Koko Mahoukou, Nicole Prisca Makaya Dangui Nieko, Valentin Dibangou, Leadisaelle Hosanna Lenguiya, Dachel Eyenet Boussam, Félix Koukouikila Koussounda, Roch Fabien Niama
KEYWORDS:
Prevalence-Trichomoniasis, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Women, Vaginitis Infection
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
25,
2026
ABSTRACT: Vaginal Candida and Trichomonas infections are recurrent and pose a serious public health problem, causing symptoms such as itching, burning of the micturition and vulva, irritation, and abnormal vaginal discharge, thus affecting women’s quality of life. Very little data is available in Africa, particularly in the Republic of the Congo. This is one of the first studies to estimate the prevalence of these infections among women consulted at three health centres in Brazzaville (Blanche Gomes, Talanga?, and Cogemo). Two vaginal swabs were taken. The first swab was used for fresh examination and May Grunwald staining, while the second was used for culture to test for candida. Of the 254 vaginal secretion samples analysed, an overall prevalence of 30% of vaginitis was obtained, including 28% of candida and 2% trichomonas. In terms of candida species (28%), 66.20% of cases were identified as Candida albicans versus 33.80% for Candida non-albicans. Of the three sites, the highest prevalence of candidiasis was observed at Blanche Gomes (30%), followed by the Cogemo clinic (28.28%) and Talangai hospital (26.96%). Overall, women who performed between 6 and 10 intimate washes per month exhibited a high prevalence of candidiasis (66.66%). These results highlight the extent of candidiasis infection and hygiene practices as potential risk factors influencing the distribution of these infections in this population.