The use of oral contraceptive pills are increasingly becoming popular among women in both urban and
rural Nigerian settings, and its perceived association with gynaecologic infections not withstanding.
This study was therefore carried out to ascertain the rate of urogenital candidiasis among women on
oral contraceptive pills (OCP) in Gboko town. All the willing women on OCP attending family planning
clinic and Comprehensive health centre in Gboko were consecutively recruited in the month of
September, 2009. Questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data such as age, marital status,
occupation and urogenital symptoms. Urine, high vaginal swab and endocervical swab specimens were
subsequently collected, transported and processed for isolation of microorganisms using standard
laboratory procedures. The rate of urogenital candidiasis among the 153 women on OCP was
significantly higher 36.5% compared to the control 20.3% (P < 0.05) in as much as their general
knowledge about the disease was poor; similarly, genitourinary symptoms were recorded in 22.2% of
the women on OCP as compared to the 5.2% in the control group (P < 0.001) and was significantly
higher among the singles, separated, widowed and divorced (64.4 to 64.7%) compared to the married
27% (P < 0.05). 79.4% of the symptomatic infections were caused by Candida species. Women should
be properly counselled and health educated on the need for prompt and adequate treatment of
vulvovaginal candidiasis while facilities for appropriate treatment and proper laboratory diagnosis
provided.