3206.0: Monday, October 22, 2001 - 5:00 PM

Abstract #27951

Douching during pregnancy among women having a live birth in Georgia, 1996–1997

Leslie E. Lipscomb, MPH, TRW, Inc., Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy. NE, MS K-22, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, (770) 488-5237, LLipscomb@cdc.gov and Brenda Colley Gilbert, PhD, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE MS-K22, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724.

Background: Women report vaginal douching for various reasons (e.g., routine vaginal cleansing, preventing contraception, treatment of vaginal infections, and to induce abortion). However, vaginal douching may increase the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight, pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis, and ectopic pregnancy.

Methods: Data from the 1996–1997 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were used to examine douching during pregnancy among women having a live birth in Georgia. PRAMS is a state-specific, population-based surveillance system that collects information on maternal behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy from mothers 2-6 months postpartum. Data were collected using mailed questionnaires; nonrespondents were followed up by phone. Response rates for 1996–1997 exceeded 73%. Population percentages and unadjusted relative risks (RR) were estimated using SUDAAN software.

Results: During 1996–1997, 5.4% of Georgia women reported douching 1 or more times during pregnancy. Women reporting douching were more likely to be teenagers, black, unmarried, receive prenatal care from public providers, receive Medicaid, and report an unintended pregnancy. Douching did not increase the risk of preterm birth, RR=0.89 (0.60, 1.33), but did increase the risk of low birthweight, RR=1.39 (1.02, 1.98). Further analyses will estimate adjusted RR, since most of the groups cited above are also associated with low birthweight.

Conclusions: The prevalence of vaginal douching during pregnancy is low, but it most frequently affects specific groups of women and is associated with low birthweight. Education and outreach are needed to reduce this behavior, including incorporating information on the risks of douching into prenatal care programs.

Learning Objectives:

  1. List 5 or more diseases or adverse reproductive health outcomes associated with vaginal douching during pregnancy.
  2. Describe the prevalence of vaginal douching during pregnancy among mothers having a live birth in Georgia.
  3. Identify 4-6 population groups at risk of vaginal douching during pregnancy in Georgia.

Keywords: Pregnancy Outcomes, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA