Douching Practices among Hausa-Fulani Pregnant Women With and Without Bacterial Vaginosis in Zaria, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine patterns of douching practices and their association to vaginal infection among Hausa-Fulani pregnant women in Zaria, Northwest Nigeria. Study design:This health facility-based study was a descriptive cross-sectional investigation, with laboratory analysis for bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal flora.Results: Of 220 participants, 85.5% consented to regular douching practices. Commonly identified methods of douching were using hand to insert plain water (80.0%), insertion of toilet soap (55.0%), using warm water plus disinfectant/salt/ black soap (18.6%) and using a jet or stream of water (8.6%). Frequent douching was associated with douching during bathing (69.5%), after passing urine (34.1%), after sexual intercourse (16.4%), before sexual intercourse (5.9%) and at any other times (6.8%). Pregnant women who douche using fingers to insert plain water were over 1½ times more likely to have bacterial vaginosis (χ²=1.30, P-value=0.25, OR=1.67, 95% CI: 0.69, 4.09) and those who douche after sexual intercourse were about 3½ times more likely to develop Bacterial vaginosis (χ²=8.88, P-value=0.003, OR=3.42, 95% CI: 1.47, 7.93). Douching during bathing and after sexual intercourse were more prevalent among subjects aged Bacterial vaginosis positive women aged 30-34 years (100.0%) and those aged 35-39 years (75.0%) respectively. Conclusions:The practice of douching was common among the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group in Nigeria. Further studies are desirable to confirm douching practices and various vaginal pathology for effective control, education, and management of female genital tract.

Influence of Vaginal Microbiota on Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Mini Review

“…Douching exposes females to infections by eliminating the healthy vaginal microbiome and permitting the growth of harmful germs. Most research indicates that frequent vaginal douching raises the risk of pelvic inflammatory diseases, ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth, decreased fecundity, Chlamydia trachomatis illnesses, Herpes simplex type 2 disorders, and bacterial vaginosis [50,51].…”

Impact of Vaginal Douching on Women's Health; Benefits and Potential Health Risk

“…In a 2016 study on douching practices among Hausa Fulani pregnant women with or without bacterial vaginosis in Zaria, Northwest Nigeria, 85.5% consented to vaginal douching using hands to insert plain water (80%), insertion of toilet soap (55.0%), using warm water plus disinfectant/salt/black soap (18.6%) and using a jet or stream or water (8.3%). In both cases, the women were oblivious of the potential health risk of the practice and the role it played in contributing to any vulvo/vaginal health problem they may have been experiencing at the time [4]. According to the US department of health and human resources, one in every five women between the ages of 18 and 44 use douches regularly.…”