Abstract

Intertriginous candidiasis is a condition that occurs in skin folds caused by Candida and its increasing prevalence due to poor lifestyle is becoming a serious health issue. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intertriginous candidiasis amongst female residents of hostels in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Forty (40) samples were aseptically collected from the inframammary fold (IMF) and armpits of females (aged 18-27 years) in hostels B, C, D, H and NDDC Hostel using sterile swab sticks. The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological methods.  The mean fungal population ranged between 1.4±0.3 x10², 1.7±0.7 x10², 1.8±0.4 x10², 1.9±0.4 x10² to 2.5±1.0 x10² SFU/ml for Hostel D, C, NDDC, Hostel B and H respectively with no significant difference (p≥0.05) across the hostels. Fifteen (15) Candida albicans isolates were identified using lactophenol cotton blue method and germ tube test. The NDDC hostel recorded the highest prevalence (33.33%) of intertriginous candidiasis among female students while female occupants from Hostel H recorded the least prevalence (6.66%). The age specific prevalence indicated that, intertriginous candidiasis was more prevalent among females between ages 23-27 (80%) group. The susceptibility pattern result showed that 46.67% of the Candida albicans were resistant to fluconazole and 53.33% were sensitive to fluconazole at 100% concentration. Good personal hygiene and regular check-ups for females in the hostels is recommended in order to avoid complicated health problems since intertriginous candidiasis poses a major health challenge.