Evaluation of the use of vaginal tampons and vaginal douche practices among women
Anayit Margirit CoÅŸkun, Eda Yakıt and Eylem Karakaya
Bezmialem Foundation University, Turkey
Dicle University, Turkey
EYKA Education and Counselling Services, Istanbul, Turkey
: J Womens Health, Issues Care
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the use of vaginal tampons and vaginal douche practices among women. The sample of the study consists of 200 women who participated in the Women's Health Education Program conducted by the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation in Diyarbakır, İstanbul, Kilis and İzmir. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Bezmialem Foundation University and written consent was obtained from the women who participated in the study. The data were evaluated using SPSS 16.0 package program using, chi-square and logistic regression analysis. More than half of the participating women were using vaginal douche (56.0%), while those receiving vaginal tampons (24.5%) were fewer. Vaginal douching was most needed after sexual intercourse and largely practiced with water (58.9%). The study found that as the level of education increased, the rate of vaginal douche and tampon use tended to decline even though this did not correspond to a significant level. Most of the women who got married before 18 engaged in these practices more frequently. 69.6% stated that vaginal douche was beneficial for health. A sizeable proportion of the women were practicing vaginal douche and, even more strikingly, they were completely unaware of any possibly harmful consequences. Thus, it is important for health professionals to provide education and counseling programs to women on this issue.
Biography
Anayit Margirit CoÅŸkun has completed her PhD degree from the Department of Public Health at Istanbul University School of Medicine in 1984. In 1990, she became an Associate Professor at the Department of Women Health Nursing. She received the Title Professor in 1996. For 40 years, she has assumed multiple roles and worked as a Bedside Nurse, Chief Nurse, Lecturer in Reproduction and Women’s Health, and Project Manager in NGOs. She wrote more than 60 articles and 17 books. She also took part in more than 15 projects as a trainer and coordinator.
