Contents

Abstract.......................................................................................................................... i

COPYRIGHT................................................................................................................ ii

AUTHORISATION.....................................................................................................iii

Declaration................................................................................................................... iv

Approval ....................................................................................................................... v

Dedication.................................................................................................................... vi

Acknownlegement ...................................................................................................... vii

Abbreviations.............................................................................................................viii

Definition of terms....................................................................................................... ix

Contents........................................................................................................................ x

List of figures.............................................................................................................. xv

List of tables............................................................................................................... xvi

CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................... 1

1.0 Introduction............................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background Information......................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem........................................................................................ 4

1.3 Justification............................................................................................................. 5

1.4 Study Objective....................................................................................................... 6

1.4.1 General Objective ................................................................................................ 6

xi

1.5 Research Questions................................................................................................. 6

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 7

Literature Review.......................................................................................................... 7

2.0 Introduction............................................................................................................. 7

2.1 Knowledge about Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.......................................................... 7

2.1.2 Causes of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ................................................................... 9

2.1.3 Preventive measures........................................................................................... 10

2.1.4 Diagnosis............................................................................................................ 10

2.1.5 Treatment ........................................................................................................... 11

2.1.6 Recurrence of VVC............................................................................................ 12

2.1.7 Alternative medicine.......................................................................................... 12

2.2 Practices contributing to VVC.............................................................................. 13

2.2.1 Antibiotic use..................................................................................................... 14

2.2.2 Increased estrogen levels. .................................................................................. 14

2.2.3 Impaired immune system................................................................................... 14

2.2.4 Sexual activity.................................................................................................... 15

2.2.5 Local factors....................................................................................................... 15

CHARPTER THREE.................................................................................................. 15

METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 15

3.0 Introduction........................................................................................................... 15

xii

3.1 Study Area and rational ........................................................................................ 16

3.2 Population ............................................................................................................. 16

3.3 Study Design and rational..................................................................................... 17

3.4 Sample size estimation.......................................................................................... 17

3.5 Sampling method .................................................................................................. 18

3.6. Inclusion criteria .................................................................................................. 18

3.7 Exclusion criteria .................................................................................................. 18

3.8 Data collection procedures.................................................................................... 18

3.9 Data Analysis and presentation............................................................................. 19

3.10 Quality Control and management of data ........................................................... 19

3.12 Limitations of the study ...................................................................................... 20

3.13 Ethical Consideration.......................................................................................... 20

CHAPTER FOUR....................................................................................................... 22

DATA PRESENTATION........................................................................................... 22

4.0 Introduction........................................................................................................... 22

4.1 Social demographic characteristics....................................................................... 22

4.2 The level of awareness about Vulvovaginal candidiasis among girls at Katunguru

seed secondary school................................................................................................. 24

CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................ 35

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.. 35

5.0 Introduction........................................................................................................... 35

xiii

5.1 Discussion of study findings................................................................................. 35

5.1.1 Social – demographic characteristics of girls at Katunguru seed secondary

school .......................................................................................................................... 35

5.1.2The level of awareness about Vulvovaginal candidiasis among girls at

Katunguru seed secondary school............................................................................... 36

5.1.3 Practices contributing to Vulvovaginal candidiasis among girls at Katunguru

seed secondary school in Rubirizi district .................................................................. 38

5.2 Conclusions........................................................................................................... 39

5.3 Recommendations................................................................................................. 40

5.4 Recommendations for further research................................................................. 41

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 42

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................ 46

APPENDIX I: WORRK PLAN FOR THE STUDY.................................................. 46

APPENDIX II: TIME TABLE ................................................................................... 47

APPENDIX III: INFORMED CONSENT FORM..................................................... 48