Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Modeling Healthy and Dysbiotic Vaginal Microenvironments in a Human Vagina-on-a-Chip
Published on: February 16, 2024
Factors associated with frequent vaginal douching among alternative school youth
Christine M Markham1, Susan R Tortolero, Robert C Addy
1Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. Christine.Markham@uth.tmc.edu
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine factors related to frequent douching among a predominantly black and Hispanic alternative school population. It was observed that although Hispanic females were more likely to douche weekly compared with black females (30% vs. 13%), monthly douching was associated with black ethnicity, beliefs related to the therapeutic value of douching, perceived partner expectations, having female relatives who douched, and pregnancy history.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Amebiasis
Vagina
Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

