ABSTRACT
Several epidemiologic studies showed that vaginal douching [VD] has an effect on the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy, Cervical cancer and especially pelvic inflammatory disease [PID], VD, which is commonly used in many countries, is also common in our country. However, there are no clear data on VD. In this study which included married women between 15 and 49 years in the area of Park Health Centre, the frequency of VD, properties of the method and afffecting factors were investigated. For this aim, between May and June 1995, 350 women selected by simple randomized sampling from 3077 women living in the mentioned area, were evaluated using a face to face questionnaire and gynecologic examination. Only 318 of them completed this study. Chi square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used for statistical evaluation. According to our results, VD was applied in a high rate [63.2%] in the area and used frequently, using only water or water and soap as the method learnt from elder people such as mothers. In general, it is applied during showering, post-coital and postmenstrual for cleaning, religious beliefs or contraception. Advanced age, living in gettos, unemployment, marriage in early age were related factors as shown by using multiple logistic regression analysis. In these women, PID was also detected in a significantly high rate in the previous year