Vaginal douching practice in Turkish women: who is douching, and why?

Karaer A., Avsar A., Ozkan O., Bayir B., Sayan K.

AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, vol.45, no.6, pp.522-525, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2005.00490.x
  • Journal Name: AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.522-525
  • Keywords: low-birthweight infant, preterm birth, Turkish women, vaginal douching, BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS, BIRTH, ASSOCIATION, DISEASE, RISK
  • Inonu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe vaginal douching practices among women of reproductive age in Turkey, and to examine the association between this practice and adverse reproductive health consequences. Of the 524 participants, 58% reported vaginal douching at some time in their lives. The practice is primarily used for hygienic reasons and a majority used water alone and homemade solution. Using a multivariate model, only age (P = 0.05) and intrauterine device usage (P = 0.02) were associated with vaginal douching.