prevalence of candidiasis in the women with leucorrhoea attended to health centers in hamadan , 1996

background: genital tract infections are one of the most common causes of referring to obstetrics clinics. the most common agents of genitalia infection are yeast ( candida ) and parasite ( trichomonas ). establishment of fungal and parasitic infections needs many factors such as social, cultural and hormonal factors. methods: in order to determine candidial infection in the patients with leucorrhoea, this study carried out in hamadan in the private clinics and public health centers in 1996. a total of 248 patients with abnormal vaginal discharge, genitalia pruritus, disuria and disparonia examined by vaginal cotton soab sampling and examination of specimens by direct wet smear for candida and trichomanos , and culture was done in saburoud dextrose agar for yeast. the smears stained by gram staining for identification of organism and grown samples examined by germ tube formation test for identification of candida albicans . data about some individual variables of subjects were collected using a questionnaire. results: this study indicated, 76(30.6%) of patients had candidial infection by wet smear method, however, 116 (46.8%) were positive by culture in saburoud medium. with germ tube formation test, 33(13.4%) had c. albicans . anyone had not trichomonal infection by direct wet smear. this study suggested that, candidial infection is very high in this region, and this is the most common cause of attending patients with leucorrhoea in the obstetrics clinics. also, there was not any relationship between candidial infection and pregnancy status, main compliance and other compliances. conclusion: we suggested, culture method is more sensitive than direct wet smear in the diagnosis of vulvo-vaginal infections, particularly in candidiasis. regarding to role of personal hygiene measures in preventing of candidiasis, health education for women in the reproductive age is recommended.