Reproductive Health Practices in Women Attending an Inner-City STD Clinic

Variation and predictors of vaginal douching behavior

“…Although some past studies reported associations with these factors (Chacko et al, 1989;Gresenguet et al, 1997;Horn et al, 1990), these studies were not able to control for many confounding variables. As with the SES factors, the distribution of behaviors within our cohort may be different than in other studies.…”

“…However, less work has been done in populations with high rates of douching, such as black or low-income women, to go beyond sociodemographic factors and identify variables within these groups that predict douching. Past studies exploring factors beyond race and income have primarily focused on sexual behavior recruiting women with sexually transmitted infections or through family planning clinics (Chacko, McGill, Johnson, Smith, & Nenney, 1989;Gresenguet, Kreiss, Chapko, Hillier, & Weiss, 1997;Horn, McQuillan, Ray, & Hook, 1990).…”

“…For example, different douching solutions may have very different health consequences. The proportion of women using commercial as compared to homemade solutions varies; some studies report 50 -60% using commercial solutions (Chacko et al, 1989;Funkhouser et al, 2002;Horn et al, 1990;Stock, Stock, & Hutto, 1973), whereas other studies have reported commercial solutions to be nearly universally used by women who douche (Ness et al, 2003;Oh, Merchant, & Brown, 2002). The duration of flow and the insertion point of the nozzle or tube are also factors that could affect the degree of exposure to the douching solution.…”

Women's Knowledge and Awareness of Gynecologic Cancer: A Multisite Qualitative Study in the United States

“…A key knowledge gap described in studies spanning two decades is confusion about the purpose of the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] which has been used to detect cervical cancer in the United States for more than 60 years 9 and remains the only screening test recommended for population-based detection of any form of gynecologic cancer. 10 Although first-hand experience with the Pap test is almost universal in the United States, with 98% of women having had one or more, 11 many women reported they did not know its purpose and believed that it screens for multiple gynecologic cancers and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as well as other conditions.…”

“…10 Although first-hand experience with the Pap test is almost universal in the United States, with 98% of women having had one or more, 11 many women reported they did not know its purpose and believed that it screens for multiple gynecologic cancers and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as well as other conditions. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Similarly, many women remain unaware of cervical cancer risk factors, [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] but advertisements and news reports about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine seem to have increased awareness that HPV and sexual promiscuity are linked to cervical cancer. 1,20,21 Studies exploring women's knowledge of other gynecologic cancer topics found low awareness of the symptoms of cervical cancer 22,23 and ovarian cancer 24 and the risk factors associated with ovarian cancer 24 and uterine cancer.…”