Women's understanding and cultural practices related to vaginal discharge: A qualitative study

Ilankoon, Ilankoon Mudiyanselage Prasanthi Sumudrika; Goonewardena, Sampatha; Fernandopulle, R. C.; Perera, Rasika

doi:10.4103/nms.nms_60_17

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Zaher et al [ 26 ] documented that more than half of their study women did not consider VD as a serious problem that need a medical examination. A study [ 27 ] also found that most women expressed that they use home remedies before consulting a doctor for AVD. Educational campaigns and appropriate teaching materials are essential in improving adolescents' knowledge of AVD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Among Adolescent Females in Riyadh City: An Observational Study

Alenizy,

AlQahtani,

Aleban

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Introduction Vaginal discharge (VD) is a common condition that affects women during their childbearing years and often requires medical attention. It results from the physiological secretion of cervical and Bartholin's glands, as well as the shedding of vaginal epithelial cells caused by bacterial action in the vagina, which alters the acidic environment of the vagina. Experiencing vaginal symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical attention, especially among women during their reproductive years. This often leads to a visit to an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Accordingly, addressing such issues becomes even more crucial. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice regarding abnormal VD (AVD) among adolescent females in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Methods The present study utilized a correlational cross-sectional survey methodology conducted in Riyadh City. The questionnaire was employed as the data collection instrument from November 2022 to November 2023. Eligibility for inclusion was limited to adolescent females and students living in Riyadh City, aged from 14 to 20 years. Electronic consent was obtained from participants aged 18 years and above, while consent from guardians was sought for those below 18 years. This sample size was determined with a minimum requirement of 500 participants, and 824 were involved. The questionnaire encompassed several sections, including demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, and menstruation history), history of AVD, knowledge regarding VD, and students' practices and behaviors related to VD. Cronbach’s alpha values for all the sections were more than 0.7. Data analysis was performed using statistical software, employing descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, and t-tests. Results A total of 824 girls were included, and their ages ranged from 14 to 20 years, with a mean age of (16 years ± 5) years old. Exactly 697 (84.6%) were high school students. Most of the study students (85.1%; 701) complained of an AVD at any point in their lives. Only 97 (11.8%) of the study students had a good knowledge level of VD. Higher age, marriage, late menarche, and seeking medical care for complaints of VD were the factors associated with a high knowledge level about VD (P<0.05). Additionally, 44.2% of school-age females sought medical care when experiencing AVD, with reasons including worsening symptoms over time and fear of serious diseases. However, a significant portion of participants opted for self-treatment using herbal remedies, medication from pharmacies, or leaving VD untreated, citing reasons such as perceiving it as a simple condition or fearing examination and disclosure. Conclusion In summary, the current study revealed that adolescent females demonstrate a sub-optimal level of knowledge regarding AVD. These findings are primarily observed among adolescent girls and individuals who exhibit a reluctance to seek appropriate medical intervention when having AVD.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Among Adolescent Females in Riyadh City: An Observational Study

Alenizy,

AlQahtani,

Aleban

et al. 2024

Cureus

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“…45 Living in slums has been found to be associated with poor knowledge about the cause and preventability of diseases 46 and also a barrier to accessing healthcare services. 47,48 Poor health literacy and knowledge can limit patients' ability to care for their medical problems. 35 Educational interventions can reduce diabetes incidence by 54% through a reduction in fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and waist circumference.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health literacy was found to be poorer among older people, minority groups, and people from lower socioeconomic circumstances 45 . Living in slums has been found to be associated with poor knowledge about the cause and preventability of diseases 46 and also a barrier to accessing healthcare services 47,48 . Poor health literacy and knowledge can limit patients' ability to care for their medical problems 35 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and facilitators to type 2 diabetes management among slum‐dwellers: A systematic review and qualitative meta‐synthesis

Ghammari

Jalilian

Khodayari‐Zarnaq

et al. 2023

Health Science Reports

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Background and Aims The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is on the rise worldwide, especially in developing countries. There is a significant difference between the slum‐dwellers and other urban dwellers in terms of T2D incidence rate and access to healthcare services. This review aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to T2D management among slum‐dwellers. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to T2D management from January 1, 2002 to May 30, 2022. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were: qualitative or mixed‐methods research, published in English, focused on slum‐dwellers and T2D or its complications, and assessed barriers and facilitators to T2D management among slum‐dwellers. Quality appraisal was conducted using the QATSDD critical appraisal tool. A thematic approach was used for data analysis and synthesis. Results A total of 17 articles were included in this review. Three analytical themes were identified: (1) Individual factors consisting of four themes: lifestyle behaviors, informational, psychological, and financial factors; (2) Health system factors consisting of three themes: patient education processes, financial protection, and service delivery; and (3) Contextual factors consisting of three themes: family support, social support, and environmental factors. Conclusion Our review disclosed that the individual, health system, and context influence T2D management among slum‐dwellers. Policymakers can use the findings of this review to reduce barriers and augment facilitators to improve healthcare utilization and self‐care management among patients with T2D in slums.

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“…Of note, history-taking related to sexual and reproductive health issues is challenging among patients from South-East Asia, especially those from marginalized socio-demographic backgrounds. 2 Anxiety and embarrassment from a pubertal child may even contribute to the diagnostic challenge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic challenge in a case of foul-smelling vaginal discharge in a newly attained menarche girl

Tee,

Ng,

Ismail

et al. 2023

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare

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Foul-smelling vaginal discharge in adolescents often stems from infectious origin, foreign body insertion, neoplasm, congenital anomaly, and sexual abuse. Diagnosing the causes of the discharge remains challenging, especially in cases where sexual and reproductive health awareness is relatively low in the population from marginalized ethnographies and socio-cultural backgrounds. Suspicion of sexual abuse must be explored carefully and sensitively. A history of sexual exposure might not be forthcoming in adolescents where premarital sex is frowned upon. The process of eliciting the causation may be a challenge to healthcare professionals, delaying the diagnosis and subsequent management. In rare circumstances, imaging studies may help confirm the origin of the infection, giving insight into the presentation’s aetiology. We describe a case of Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly (OHVIRA) Syndrome presented with foul-smelling vaginal discharge in a newly attained menarche girl in the North-East region of Peninsular Malaysia. We also discussed the theories and reasons behind the occurrence of such a presentation, along with the diagnostic dilemma in this current case.

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Women's understanding and cultural practices related to vaginal discharge: A qualitative study

Cited by 8 publications

References 1 publication

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Among Adolescent Females in Riyadh City: An Observational Study

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Among Adolescent Females in Riyadh City: An Observational Study

Barriers and facilitators to type 2 diabetes management among slum‐dwellers: A systematic review and qualitative meta‐synthesis

Diagnostic challenge in a case of foul-smelling vaginal discharge in a newly attained menarche girl

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