title: Ethnicity, family socioeconomic inequalities, and prevalence of vaginal douching among college students: the implication for health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the association between ethnicity and family socioeconomic status (SES) as it relates to the prevalence of vaginal douching among female undergraduates in a university community.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional survey conducted between September 2011 and February 2012 among 1,535 female undergraduates using a semistructured behavioral questionnaire adapted by the authors from previous research related to vaginal douching practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of vaginal douching was 79.35% and the practice was significantly associated with the mother's age, ethnicity, low SES (educational level, occupation, and monthly income), and area of residence. The father's age and SES were statistically nonsignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethnicity and low SES of mothers were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of douching in daughters. These factors should be considered among others in any intervention to discourage vaginal douching among college women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. chrisvon200@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ekpenyong
authors.forename: Etiobong A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Etukumana
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult