1.1 Introduction
Lactobacilli are the well known friendly bacteria for their probiotic activities against pathogens. The inhibitory activity of different strains of lactobacilli either obtained as commercial products or isolated from human feces was investigated against the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Women typically use feminine hygiene products as part of their daily routine. Many factors affected these behaviors, including personal interest, cultural values, religious beliefs and advice from health care professionals. The vaginal environment is prevalent in literature, little is known about the vulvar area and how personal hygiene practices can influence its biological and physiological stability. Specifically, there will be more about intimate feminine hygiene as it relates to external topical washes and the role of intimate feminine hygiene in managing unpleasant symptoms and promoting overall intimate health (Chen, Bruning, Rubino, & Eder, 2017).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Multi-drug resistant bacteria are the cause of numerous clinical problems throughout the world. Increased resistance among pathogens causing nosocomial and community acquired infections is known to be related to the widespread utilization of antibiotics (Pfaller et al., 1997). Infectious diseases caused by resistant microorganisms are accountable for increased health costs as well as high morbidity and mortality, especial-ly in developing countries. Vagina is an organ that is important to women as a source of pleasure, but also a source of potential pain. It is open to the outside and located near the anus, where the number of potentially pathogenic bacteria is large. Therefore, a vaginal protection system is needed to prevent the growth of pathogens in the body. Although the protection system is already in place, vaginal discomfort is the most common cause of gynecologist visits. Vaginal protection systems are based on the maintenance of 3.5 to 4.5 acidic pH, whereas the common and potentially pathogenic saprophytes do not detect proliferating conditions. (Haya, García, López-manzanar, Balawi, & Haya, 2014)
Fungal disease of vulva and vagina is related to the species Candida (vulvovaginal candidiasis) which is the most common female mucosa. IIt shows the acute or chronic courses and patterns of disease that can have a strong impact on the quality of life of the women concerned. In general, the most common cause of acute vulvovaginal candidiasis is Candida Albican, followed by Candida glabrata. Albicans and C.glabrata are often equally distributed. (Stock, 2010).In the last few decades, fungal infections have increasingly been recognized as a major health threat to an ever-expanding list of compromised patients.(Brown et al., 2012). C.albicansis a part of normal human microbiota that is usually acquired early in neonatal life and as a normal commensal that colonizes mucosal surfaces, that is particularly those of skin and produces a little to no damage to the host (Brown et al., 2012).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Antibacterial Activity of Feminine Wash against Some Clinical Isolates (Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus).
1.3 Statement of Problems
The vulva is the first line of defense that protects the genital tract from the infection. The contaminants are often collected in the vulvar folds and increased the moisture, sweating, menses and hormonal fluctuations that may be influenced by the vulvar microbial growth and species balance, potentially may be resulting in odor and vulvovaginal infection. Vulvar skin differs slightly from other skin sites in hydration, friction, permeability and visually irritation and is more susceptible to topical agents than forearm skin because of its increased hydration, occlusion and frictional properties. The non-keratinized vulvar is likely to be more permeable than keratinized skin. Genital skin is unique in that it is covered by a thin stratum corneum that contains large hair follicles, which will make it easier for microbes to permeate the skin. The vagina is the fibro-muscular canal that extend from its external opening in the vulva to the cervix and is composed to mainly of smooth muscle that are covered with a non-keratinized epithelial lining, at which until menopause, is thick with fold kept moist by the fluid secreted through the vaginal wall and mucus from the cervical and vestibular glands (Chen et al., 2017).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the Antibacterial Activity of Feminine Wash against Some Clinical Isolates (Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the antibacterial activity carried out in Feminine Wash
- To determine the Clinical Isolates (Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus) present in Feminine Wash
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Antibacterial Activity of Feminine Wash against Some Clinical Isolates (Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus).
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
