Mitos y creencias del cuidado e higiene íntima en mujeres peruanas jóvenes / Myths and beliefs of intimate care and hygiene in young peruvian women

Introducción: Muchas veces se propagan mitos y creencias sobre la higiene íntima femenina, que podrían traer consecuencias en muchos aspectos. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre los mitos y creencias del cuidado e higiene íntima y los cuidados reales de higiene íntima en mujeres peruanas jóvenes. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico, que presentó una revisión del tema para realizar una encuesta de 21 interrogantes, en temas comunes en la higiene íntima, post piloto, se preguntó de su realización y la frecuencia semanal; esta última se asoció a variables socio-educativas. Resultados: De las 600 mujeres jóvenes encuestadas, hubo diferencia en cuanto la edad según la percepción del uso de ropa interior de algodón (p=0,013), la limpieza de la zona íntima de adelante hacia atrás (p<0,001), el uso de ropa interior no muy ajustada (p<0,001), el uso de ropa sintética (p=0,045), el uso de jabón exclusivo para la zona íntima (p<0,001), la edad de inicio de relaciones sexuales (p=0,031) y el uso de métodos anticonceptivos como causantes de flujo (p=0,008). En cuanto al ser o no estudiantes, hubo diferencia en la percepción de que el rasurado del pubis para la limpieza (p=0,018) y que los ejercicios de relajación disminuyen el flujo vaginal (p=0,030). Conclusiones: Se describió algunos mitos y creencias en cuanto a la limpieza íntima; a su vez, se encontró que algunas prácticas de higiene tienen asociación con la edad y el ser estudiante. Esto debe ser estudiado a profundidad, ya que, esto podría llevar a problemas mayores.

Introduction: Myths and beliefs about female intimate hygiene are often spread, which could have consequences in many aspects. Objective: To determine the association between the myths and beliefs of intimate care and hygiene and the actual care of intimate hygiene in young Peruvian women. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, which exposed a review of the topic to conduct a survey of 21 questions on common issues in intimate hygiene, post pilot, asked about its performance and weekly frequency; The latter was associated with socio-educational variables. Results: Of the 600 young women surveyed, there was a difference regarding age according to the perception of the use of cotton underwear (p = 0.013), the cleaning of the intimate area from front to back (p <0.001), the use of underwear not very tight (p <0.001), the use of synthetic clothing (p = 0.045), the use of exclusive soap for the intimate area (p <0.001), the age of onset of sexual intercourse (p = 0.031) and the use of contraceptive methods as causing flow (p = 0.008). Regarding whether or not they were students, there was a difference in the perception that shaving the pubis for cleaning (p = 0.018) and that relaxation exercises decrease vaginal discharge (p = 0.030). Conclusions: Some myths and beliefs regarding intimate cleansing were described; In turn, some hygiene practices were found to be associated with age and being a student. This should be studied in depth, as this could lead to bigger problems.

Yeast Infection and Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Mother in Malaysia

Background: Vaginal yeast infection refers to irritation of the vagina due to the presence of opportunistic yeast of the genus Candida (mostly Candida albicans). About 75% of women will have at least one episode of vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime. Several studies have shown that pregnancy and uncontrolled diabetes increase the infection risk. Reproductive hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and elevated glucose levels characteristic of diabetes provide the carbon needed for Candida overgrowth and infection. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of vaginal yeast infection among pregnant women with and without diabetes. Methods: This was a case-control study using cases reports from Kepala Batas Health Clinic, Penang State, Malaysia from 2006 to 2012. In total, 740 pregnant ladies were chosen as sample of which 370 were diabetic and 370 were non-diabetic cases. Results: No relationship between diabetes and the occurrence of vaginal yeast infection in pregnant women was detected, and there was no significant association between infection and age group, race or education level. Conclusion: In conclusion, within radius of this study, vaginal yeast infection can occur randomly in pregnant women.