Survey of possible pathogenic organisms found in urine and vaginal swab samples of selected female population in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms and females are more at risk of the infection. This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of pathogenic organisms other than bacteria in urine and vaginal swabs of some selected female individuals and to determine the suitable sample material appropriate for identification of such organisms. Samples were collected from 200 female students of Yabatech and 200 patients attending General Hospital Lagos Island. The female students’ and patients’ age ranged from 16-55 years. Questionnaires were also administered. A total of 400 samples were collected and examined microscopically and also cultured for organisms’ growth. The organisms encountered were Yeast cells, Pus cells and Trichomonas vaginalis. 5(2.5%) positive samples with Trichomonas vaginalis were detected among the examined patients while none of the students were found infected with Trichomonas vaginalis. Yeast cells were the most frequently encountered organism while Trichomonas were the least encountered. The vaginal swab samples yielded more organisms than urine samples. Age group 31-35 years were observed to have the highest percentage growth rate of cultured organisms with students having 87.5% while the patients had 48.8%. Vaginal discharge was the commonest symptom identified among the examined individuals with 68(34.0%) responses. No statistical significance was observed among results obtained for both students and patients. Sex education should be introduced as a means of increasing students’ awareness of infections and proper sanitation enforced by the institution.

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Keywords: UTI, Trichomonas, Yeast cells, Pyuria, Vaginitis, Hygiene