Abstract: Objective To investigate the risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis.Methods A total of 156 patients with and 112 normal female controls were recruited into the survey.Both single factor analysis and multifactor logistic regression analysis were performed with SPSS 10.0 for Windows.Results Single factor analysis indicated that exposure to a sexual partner with vulvovaginal candidiasis,engaging in sexual activity during menstruation,being accompanied by other STDs,gestation,oral contraceptive use,tub bath,depression,wearing tight pants,and a history of induced abortion were risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis.Multifactor logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to a sexual partner with genital candidiasis,a history of induced abortion,engaging in sexual activity during menstruation,oral contraceptive use,being accompanied by other STDs,multiple sex partners,intrauterine contraceptive device use,married status,and antibiotic use were risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis.Conclusions This analysis has shown that the major risk factors responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis are exposure to a sexual partner with genital candidiasis,a history of induced abortion,engaging in sexual activity during menstruation,oral contraceptive use,being accompanied by other STDs,and multiple sex partners (OR=2.01-9.77).

Key words: Candidiasis, vulvovaginal, Risk factors