The Association between Vaginal Douching and its Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among African American Women
STIs continue to be a major public health challenge. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 19 million people are infected with STIs each year, almost half (48%) of the infected are between the ages 15-24 (Weinstock et al, 2004). African American women have a disproportional burden of STIs. This study assessed the association of douching and the two common STIs (Chlamydia and Trichomonas) in the U.S. among African American women and to see if douching helped explain the excess burden. This study used publicly available secondary data from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004 of women of reproductive ages 18 and 49 years. This study found that douching was associated with an increased risk for STIs for African American women. However, no evidence was found to help explain the excess burden of STIs among African American women.
School:
Pennsylvania State University
Department:
Biobehavioral Health
Research Advisor:
Catlainn Sionean
Department of Research Advisor:
Community Health
Year of Publication:
2006