Risk of vaginal candidiasis among pregnant women

ABSTRACT Introduction Among all motivations of women motherhood is the most universal and the strongest. Motherhood is a beautiful and joyous experience to a woman. The feeling of a life growing inside makes her ecstatic. The health of the mother during pregnancy is important to give birth to a healthy baby. Reproductive tract infections are common during pregnancy and vaginal candidiasis (moniliasis or thrush) is a most ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 9 (2013) pp. 141-146 http://www.ijcmas.com Keywords Vaginal candidiasis; risk; Candida albicans; pregnant women; anaemia . Pregnancy is a physiological state, which produces several normal and expected changes in all the maternal organ systems. Vaginal secretions during pregnancy fall from a pH of greater than 7 (an alkaline pH) to 4 or 5 (an acid pH). This change in pH also unfortunately, favors the growth of Candida albicans. It is believed that higher estrogen levels and higher glycogen content in vaginal secretions during pregnancy increase a womans risk of developing vulvo vaginal candidiasis. The study was conducted to assess the risk of developing vaginal candidiasis among pregnant women in selected Rural Maternity and Child Welfare (RMCW) homes of Udupi district, Karnataka.The study adopted a descriptive survey approach. The sampling technique used was non probability convenient sampling. After obtaining the consent from the subjects, a total of 302 pregnant women those who are visited the antenatal clinics of RMCWs were selected. Data shows majority (53%) of the pregnant women belongs to no risk category and 47% of the pregnant women were at risk of developing vaginal candidiasis. Risk factors detected among these pregnant women were: 52.8% of them had the habit of washing from front to back after using toilet. 39.4% were multipara and 39.4% of the pregnant women had the habit of wearing synthetic undergarments, 35.2% were using scented laundry soap to clean the perineum each time. 33.8% of them were suffering from anaemia. Health professionals caring for pregnant women should enquire about symptoms of vaginal candidiasis, so that appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be initiated, and also they can give them knowledge and make aware, which may help them in improving their health by adopting preventive measures