The management of vulvovaginal candidiasis: the results of survey in Lviv, Ukraine

Overview

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a serious clinical and social issue. The questionnaire-based study was performed to assess the management of VVC in Lviv, Ukraine. Totally 408 women were enrolled in the survey. The lifetime prevalence of VVC was high (72.6 %). 35.8 % of women had VVC during the last year with the predominance of 1 episode (72.6 %). The most common symptoms were vaginal itching and cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, affecting 89.7 % and 71.7 % of women with VVC, respectively. Stress (57.2 %) was the main self-reported factor associated with the VVC, followed by antibiotic therapy (49.7 %). Only 51.0 % of women with VVC sought a doctor’s help, 35.2 % of women reported about self-treatment. The management of VVC included usage of medicines and nonmedicinal interventions. Oral antifungals and vaginal medicines prevailed (86.2 % and 80.7 % of woman with VVC used them, respectively). The management of VVC was associated with inappropriate interventions, such as the treatment of an asymptomatic sexual partner (22.8 %), vaginal douching (11.0 %), taking oral antifungals with only local effectiveness for gastrointestinal fungal infections (natamycin and nystatin, 15.2 % vs 14.8 % respectively), using of vaginal drugs with none antifungal activity (5.1 %), and incorrect duration of the treatment (29.1 %). Rural residence (p = 0.000) and the absence of higher education (p = 0.001) significantly contribute to the inappropriate management of VVC. The management of VVC is often associated with self-treatment and different inappropriate interventions. Educational programs are required to improve the management of VVC. Pharmacists may significantly contribute to raising patients’ awareness and improving the management of VVC, especially in rural areas.

Keywords:

vulvovaginal candidiasis; management; questionnaire-based study; self-treatment; inappropriate interventions