PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ocaktan, Mine E.
AU  - Baran, Emine
AU  - Akdur, Recep
TI  - Evaluation of habitual behavior related to genital hygiene in women living in a health care center area
DP  - 2010 Nov 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1251--1256
VI  - 31
IP  - 11
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/31/11/1251.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/31/11/1251.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2010 Nov 01; 31
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate that habitual behaviors related to genital hygiene in women living in a Health Care Center Area.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 400 women were sampled to represent women in reproductive ages (15-49 ages) living in the Park Health Care Center Area, Ankara, Turkey between June and September 2008. Three hundred and eighty-six (96.5%) women were interviewed for evaluation of habitual behaviors related to genital hygiene. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 32.19±9.54 (15-49) years. Of the study group, 21.5% had daily baths, 77.2% used cotton underwear, and 71.8% wiped front to back after using the toilet. Of those who menstruated, 83.4% used hygienic pads during menstrual periods, and 42.1% of the 321 married women confirmed practicing vaginal douching. The education level p=0.001, p=0.000, income level p=0.034, p=0.005, employment p=0.022, p=0.000, and house type p=0.005, p=0.006 were found as factors affecting general frequency of bathing and type of pad used during the menstrual period. Frequency of vaginal douching was higher in housewives than employed women p=0.000.CONCLUSION: The rate of women who had appropriate behaviors related to genital hygiene among the study group was found to be low, particularly within groups with a low socioeconomic level. Thus, it will be useful for health care employers to emphasize this issue at every opportunity.