Vaginal douching and intimate partner violence: is there an association?
OBJECTIVE
This study tests the hypothesis that vaginal douching among women of reproductive age is associated with exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV).


METHODS
The data source is a cross-sectional population-based sample of 2,002 women ages 18-45 in the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study. The survey included measures of IPV, douching behavior, and relevant sociodemographic and health-related covariates.


RESULTS
Six percent of the sample reported experiencing any type of IPV in the past year, and 23% reported douching in the past year. IPV is significantly associated with douching after controlling for sociodemographic and health-related covariates. This finding holds for women with and without current reproductive capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to identify an association between vaginal douching and IPV. Because vaginal douching is a risk factor for sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, the findings could have important implications for prevention. Further research is needed to identify the reasons why women who have been exposed to IPV are more likely to douche.
Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. cweisman@psu.edu
Carol S
CS
Weisman
Diane M
DM
Grimley
Lucy
L
Annang
Marianne M
MM
Hillemeier
Gary A
GA
Chase
Anne-Marie
AM
Dyer
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health