Intravaginal practices, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among South African women.
OBJECTIVE
Intravaginal practices, including wiping, douching, or inserting substances into the vagina, have been hypothesized to increase women's risk of HIV infection. However, data on the prevalence of these practices, and associations with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), are limited.


METHODS
We interviewed 2,897 women participating in a gynecologic screening study in Cape Town, South Africa, about their intravaginal practices. After clinical examination, cervical and blood samples were collected and tested for HIV and other STD [corrected].


RESULTS
Of the 831 (29%) women reporting some type of intravaginal practice, 48% reported using only water and cloth to clean inside the vagina, whereas 17% reported using antiseptics or detergents. Most women (53%) reported practices as part of regular hygiene. Intravaginal practices were strongly associated with behavioral risk factors, and recent multiple sexual partners [corrected]. Intravaginal practices were associated with prevalent HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-2.20), but were not associated with other STDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Prospective studies that include detailed measurements of correlated sexual risk behaviors are required to discern whether this association is causal in nature; if so, these behaviors could represent an important area for future HIV prevention interventions.
Myer
Landon
L
School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Denny
Lynette
L
De Souza
Michelle
M
Barone
Mark A
MA
Wright
Thomas C
TC
Kuhn
Louise
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014621:Vagina