Prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae among Women Resident in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae infection in women resident in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria was investigated. Following informed consent, one hundred and twenty two (122) high vaginal swab samples comprising 72 from pregnant women and 50 from non-pregnant women were collected using standard aseptic microbiological technique. In addition, the pregnancy status, age, health status, and other sociodemographic factors of the participants were also collected using an open ended questionnaire. Samples were aseptically collected and microbiological analysis carried out using standard microbiological analysis. Out of the 122 samples screened, 26 were positive for S. agalactiae giving an overall prevalence rate of 21.3%. Furthermore, prevalence rates of 23.6% and 18.0% were obtained for the pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively. Based on the age groups of the participants, prevalence rates of 13.7%, 17%, 26.5%, and 40% were obtained from age groups of ≥20, 21-29, 30-39 and ≥ 40 years, respectively. According to the health status of the participants, 15.4% and 55.6% prevalence were obtained from clinically healthy and ill participants, respectively. These findings suggest that the infection could be wide spread in Nigeria, amongst the pregnant and non-pregnant women. There is need for further studies that would evaluate the circulating strains.