Behavioral risk factors that predispose women to vaginal infections in Turkey

ABSTRACT

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