What has changed about vaginal douching among African American mothers and daughters?
OBJECTIVE
To explore African American mothers' and daughters' practices and influences related to vaginal douching.


METHODS
Our overall study used a sequential mixed-method design with 3 phases. Phase 1, the focus of this report, used grounded theory methods and in-depth, semistructured individual interviews. Two generations of African American girls and women: 24 girls ("daughters") aged 14-18 and 17 women ("mothers" or "mother figures") aged 22-43, recruited from 1 adolescent health clinic in Baltimore, MD.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were taped and transcribed and data analysis used the constant comparison method.


RESULTS
Daughters were much less likely to douche or to have been exposed to douching information than mothers. Many mothers and daughters were influenced by health care providers and/or family members to not initiate, to decrease, or to stop douching. Women who currently douche often do so because of the perception of improved smell and cleanliness around menstruation and sexual intercourse.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that although some women continue to believe that vaginal douching has therapeutic value, others have been influenced to stop or not start douching by family and health care providers. Health care providers should continue efforts to educate patients on the risks of vaginal douching.
Mark
Hayley
H
Department of Community-Public Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2110, USA. hmark1@son.jhmi.edu
Sherman
Susan G
SG
Nanda
Joy
J
Chambers-Thomas
Tracey
T
Barnes
Mathilda
M
Rompalo
Anne
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D015142:Baltimore; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013637:Tape Recording; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult