Effect of educational protocol toward discourage vaginal douching practice on women health l in reproductive age

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to study the effect of educational protocol toward discourage vaginal douching practice on women health in reproductive age. This study was conducted in the gynecological outpatient clinic and department of Mansoura university hospital. Intervention study. Simple rundum sample. 113 women were recruited in the study, they were chosen with the following criteria applying vaginal douche, their age ranged from 20 to 45 years old, The study sample were divided into two groups study and control groups. Five tools were used 1] A structured interviewing sheet to collect data related to socio-demographic data and gynecologic history. 2] Vaginal douching assessent sheet as frequentcy, duration, sources of information, type of material used and reason for practices, 3] Life style sheet to assess vaginal douching pattern as shower, sitze bath, type of underwear clothes and pattern of sexual intercoure. 4] Follow up record to assess the outcome of instructions regarding vaginal douche hazard [as symptoms of infections]. 5] Handout included information about vaginal douching and it is averse effect on health. The study revealed that vaginal douching [VD] was a more common among women with young age, lower socioeconomic status and with lower educational level. Also each of husband, friends, and family relatives were the comman sources that encouraged them for VD practice large number of women reported that frequency and duration of VD were higher. Concerning life style pattern for vaginal douching practice the majorty of them their underwear clothes were not from cotton and their sexual intercourse were without condum and setting in warm water was more frequantly. As regards the Reasons for VD Practicing, the majority of women believed that vaginal douching prevent itching, to make more attractive, sexually, to prevent pregnancy and eliminate vaginal oder. Antiseptic, commericial agent, soap water, vinegar and bubble bath were a comman material used for VD. Also both preterm labour and low bith weight were infection were a disease associated with VD practices. The risk factors of vaginal douching practice was observed in women who had married for more than 5 years and who had a high frequency of sexual intercourse / weak, vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation. After instruction, half of women in study group stopped VD practice and one third of them was less likely to practicing VD. Also the rate of infection was significant lower among women in study group. This study concluded that strongly an association observed between vaginal douching and adverse reproductive health outcomes and instruction have a positive effect on reducing the rate of VD practice as well as the rate of vaginal infection in study group. So for health promotion, all women in reproductive age must follow the educational protocol toward discourage vaginal douching practice