RESUMEN
Vaginal infections are common and when they are not treated, they can cause serious health problems such as getting infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV]. The aim of this study was to determine the behavioral risk factors for vaginal infections among women with and without vaginal infections. This study was done in a large women's hospital. The sample consisted of 200 women between the ages of 15 and 49. A pelvic examination and clinical assessment were conducted on each woman. Risk factors were analyzed through the use of cross-tabs, t-test, odds ratio and percent analysis. Behaviors such as washing from back to front after defecation [OR=3.79; 95% CI, 2.05-7.01], cleaning with bare hand in the toilet [OR=4.75; 95% CI, 1.71-13.23], bathing by sitting on a stool [OR=2.64; 95% CI, 1.44-4.84, p<0.001], infrequent change of underwear [OR=6.15; 95% CI, 2.43-15.55, p<0.001] and douching after intercourse [OR=1.84; 95% CI, 1.09-3.07, p <0.05] were risk factors associated with vaginal infections. The results can provide physicians with the evidence based data to be used when counseling, educating and treating women for vaginal infections