Lichtenstein B, Nansel T R
Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-3350, USA.
Women Health. 2000;31(2-3):117-31. doi: 10.1300/j013v31n02_06.
Vaginal douching is a common hygiene practice for many U.S. women, but is associated with several health risks. Little is known about the beliefs and attitudes that promote and maintain douching practices. This qualitative study, consisting of four focus groups of 31 southern women, was conducted to gather in-depth information about attitudes and beliefs associated with douching. The focus groups consisted of separate groups of low-income and middle-income Caucasian and African-American women.
The African-Americans and low-income Caucasians were more likely to douche than middle-income Caucasians. The participants reported douching after menstruation, after sexual intercourse, and at other times for cleanliness and odor control. Concern about odor and cleanliness was a recurrent theme, and douching was represented as an expected and necessary part of feminine hygiene. Several socioeconomic and racial differences were observed in douching practices and attitudes.
This study provides preliminary information about women's douching practices and attitudes that may inform practitioners' educational efforts and future research.
阴道灌洗是许多美国女性常见的卫生习惯，但与多种健康风险相关。对于促进和维持灌洗行为的观念和态度，人们了解甚少。本定性研究由针对31名南方女性的四个焦点小组组成，旨在收集有关与灌洗相关的态度和观念的深入信息。焦点小组由低收入和中等收入的白种人和非裔美国女性的不同小组组成。
非裔美国人和低收入白种人比中等收入白种人更有可能进行阴道灌洗。参与者报告在月经后、性交后以及其他时候进行灌洗，以保持清洁和控制气味。对气味和清洁的关注是一个反复出现的主题，灌洗被视为女性卫生预期且必要的一部分。在灌洗行为和态度方面观察到了一些社会经济和种族差异。
本研究提供了有关女性灌洗行为和态度的初步信息，可能为从业者的教育工作和未来研究提供参考。
