title: Vaginal douching practices among Turkish married women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of the practice of vaginal douching among Turkish married women and associations between their douching status, predisposing factors, and effects on their health.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional survey of women between 17 and 61 years of age was conducted between February 1, 2007, and May 18, 2007, in the Maternity-Gynecology and Children's Hospital in Ordu, Turkey. The sample of this study included 427 women. A confidential and anonymous self-reported questionnaire was collected in a convenient sample of the women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 427 women in the study, 165 women (38.6%) had douched at some time. Housewives [odds ratio (OR) 2.660, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.162-6.090], women who had experienced a spontaneous abortion (OR 4.676, 95% CI 1.606-13.618), or had beliefs about positive health effects of vaginal douching (OR 29.603, 95% CI 14.090-62.192) also had risk factors associated with vaginal douching practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, this study found that vaginal douching is a common practice among women. Many of the women who practiced vaginal douching believed in its health benefits. The results may enhance healthcare practitioners' knowledge and efforts to educate their patients.
authors: Department of Nursing, School of Health, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
authors: Nülüfer
authors: N
authors: Erbil
authors: Anıl
authors: A
authors: Alışarlı
authors: Hakime Çilem
authors: HÇ
authors: Terzi
authors: Kevser
authors: K
authors: Ozdemir
authors: Yeşim
authors: Y
authors: Kuş
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult