title: Feminine hygiene practices among female patients and nurses in Lebanon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inappropriate feminine hygiene practices are related to vulvovaginitis. We investigated the prevalence of personal hygiene habits among Lebanese women as well as their awareness of adequate practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consists of a cross-sectional observational study. Female patients and nurses at Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital in Beirut- Lebanon filled a questionnaire about their intimate hygiene habits and knowledge of proper practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 249 women. 21.3 % of the 136 nurses and 38.9 % of the 113 patients reported a history of vulvovaginitis. The majority of women took an intimate bath at least twice daily. 14 % of nurses and 17 % of patients douched.20. Seven percent of the nurses and 43.4 % of the patients used wet wipes. 1.5 % of nurses and 4.4 % of patients used feminine deodorant sprays. There was a significant lack of awareness mainly among patients about suitable hygiene practices as well for their adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education provided by nurses, and other healthcare providers is essential to promote reproductive health among Lebanese women.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, PO Box: 166830, Adib Ishac Street, Achrafie, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Attieh
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, PO Box: 166830, Adib Ishac Street, Achrafie, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Samer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maalouf
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, PO Box: 166830, Adib Ishac Street, Achrafie, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roumieh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abdayem
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, PO Box: 166830, Adib Ishac Street, Achrafie, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: AbiTayeh
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, PO Box: 166830, Adib Ishac Street, Achrafie, Beirut, Lebanon. drkesrouani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Assaad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kesrouani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007861:Lebanon; D009726:Nurses; D010361:Patients; D060728:Reproductive Health; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Hygiene; Vaginal douching; Vaginal infections; Vaginitis