Background and study aim: Candida species is a leading cause of recurrent inflammation of both the vagina and vulva known ‎as vulvovaginitis. The increasing occurrence of vulvovaginitis among women of reproductive ‎years makes it important to investigate the risk factors associated with vulvovaginitis and the ‎antifungal effect of selected plant extracts on Candida species associated with vulvovaginitis.
Materials and Methods: ‎‎‎ Three hundred women of reproductive age (15 – 50 years) with complaints suggesting ‎vulvovaginitis were assessed for possible risk factors associated with vulvovaginitis. High Vaginal ‎swabs (HVS) were collected and cultured for the presence of Candida species on Sabouraud ‎Dextrose Agar (SDA). Colonies were identified based on colony morphology, germ tube test, and ‎biochemically using API 20C AUX. Agar-well diffusion was used to determine the effect of ‎Gomphrena celosioides and Vernonia perrottettii extracts on the isolates. Chi square (P<0.05) was ‎used to determine the factors associated with vulvovaginitis‎‎.‎
Results: There was a significant association (P<0.05) with the use of birth control pills, tight underwear, ‎tight clothing, pregnancy and vulvovaginitis. (χ2= 82.78, P<0.001, χ2= 23.06 P<0.001, χ2= 8.292 ‎P<0.004, χ2 = 30.95 P≤0.0001 respectively). Twenty-one (21) isolates of Candida species were ‎identified as Candida tropicalis 13(59.1%)), Candida glabrata 3(13.6%), Candida albicans ‎‎3(13.6%), Candida parasiplosis 1(4.6%) and Candida lambica 1(4.6%).‎‎‎‎‎‎.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that birth control pills, tight underwear, tight clothing and pregnancy had a ‎significant association with vulvovaginitis. All Candida species isolates were resistant to plant ‎extracts. Women should be educated on the risk factors associated with vulvovaginitis‎‎‎‎‎.