Factors associated with vaginal douching in military women

Objectives of this secondary analysis were to describe the prevalence of vaginal douching among 1,432 women on active duty in the military and to examine demographic and behavioral factors associated with douching. More than one-half (54.5%) of the respondents reported douching at least once in their lifetimes; 63.5% of those douched during the previous year, and 45.8% of those douched in > or = 6 of the past 12 months. Multiple regression analysis showed that being African American, using tampons, having sexual intercourse, having more than one sexual partner in a month, using spermicides, and being in the enlisted and noncommissioned officer ranks were associated with more frequent douching (20.1% of the variance in douching behavior was explained). Despite access to regular gynecological examinations and related health counseling, a significant number of military women continue to douche. These women may benefit from specific intensive information on normal vaginal self-cleansing mechanisms and the health hazards of douching. Military efforts to diminish this self-care behavior and to enhance providers' knowledge about the scope of the problem may improve women's health and military readiness by decreasing the incidence of negative consequences of douching.