Screening and Risk Factors Associated with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Among Pregnant Women

Abstract

**Background**: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is nothing but refers to vulval symptoms caused by the yeast which is most common as candida albicans and it's also consisted of, Vaginal burning and itchy rashes around vulval region, trichomonas vaginalis which leads to fishy smell with greyish discharge. **Objective**: 1. To assess vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women. 2. To identify risk of developing vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women. 3. To associate risk factors score of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women with their demographic variables. The purpose of this study was to assess vulvovaginal candidiasis and to identify risk factors among pregnant women in selected hospital. **Material and method**: The quantitative research approach and descriptive research design were used. **Setting of the study**: The study was conducted in Gynae OPD from selected hospital of Wardha District and 43 Pregnant women were selected with non-probability convenient sampling technique. High vaginal swabs were collected from each and processed by Gram Staining, culture on Sabroud's dextrose agar & CHROM agar. **Result**: The findings of this study shows that out of 43 pregnant women 4 were positive for vulvovaginal candidiasis, and 11.93% of total pregnant women were at the risk and 88.37% of all total pregnant women were at no risk for vulvovaginal candidiasis. Significant association found between age and trimester in pregnancy. Whereas occupation, monthly income, gravida and education didn't show any significant association with risk factors score. **Conclusion**: Reproductive age group women and third trimester of pregnant women have more risk of developing vulvovaginal candidiasis. Hence it is necessary to screen for high vaginal swab to reduce the risk of developing vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women.