title: Racial differences in vaginal douching knowledge, attitude, and practices among sexually active adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study sought to assess knowledge of, attitude toward, and practices of vaginal douching among adolescent females attending a public family planning clinic, in order to better understand racial influences on douching.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, a one-page questionnaire was administered to all adolescent females (< or=19 years) presenting to a public family planning clinic in a small southern city between March 1 and May 31, 1999.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 169 participants, the mean age was 17.0 years (+/-1.5 years), 53% were Caucasian, and 47% were African-American. Sixty-nine percent of participants reported vaginal douching, mostly for hygienic reasons (68%). Those reporting vaginal douching were more likely to have a history of sexual intercourse (P < 0.01) and a history of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (P < 0.05). Age of first douche correlated positively with age of first sexual intercourse (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). African-Americans did not douche to a greater degree than Caucasians. However, racial differences were noted in knowledge of and attitude toward vaginal douching.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginal douching was a common practice among adolescent females attending a public family planning clinic in a small southern city. Culturally appropriate educational strategies for African-American and Caucasian adolescent females should improve awareness of adverse events associated with vaginal douching, despite family and personal beliefs about this practice.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health (Region V), Lake Charles, LA, USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Foch
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Chacko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001741:Black or African American; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014621:Vagina; D044465:White People