Study of Harmful Vaginal Practices of Women in the Municipality of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 1 Drug Development Laboratory, African Center of Excellence for Training, Research, and Expertise in Pharmaceutical Sciences (CEA-CFOREM), Sciences and Health Doctoral School, Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 2 Drug Development Laboratory, African Center of Excellence for Training, Research, and Expertise in Pharmaceutical Sciences (CEA-CFOREM), Sciences and Health Doctoral School, Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 3 Drug Development Laboratory, African Center of Excellence for Training, Research, and Expertise in Pharmaceutical Sciences (CEA-CFOREM), Sciences and Health Doctoral School, Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 4 Public Health Laboratory, Sciences and Health Doctoral School, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 5 Drug Development Laboratory, African Center of Excellence for Training, Research, and Expertise in Pharmaceutical Sciences (CEA-CFOREM), Sciences and Health Doctoral School, Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 6 Charles De Gaulle University Children’s Hospital (CHUP-CDG), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 7 Mother and Child Laboratory, Sciences and Health Doctoral School, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Abstract
<b>Introduction</b>: Vaginal practices include washing, altering, cutting, cleaning, enhancing, drying, tightening, lubricating, or loosening of the vagina, labia, clitoris, or hymen. This study aimed to investigate the different vaginal practices of women using non-pharmaceutical products. <b>Methodology</b>: This was a cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical purposes that took place from January 15 to April 23, 2023, in the four largest markets in the municipality of Ouagadougou. This was performed using the data collection sheet in the KoboCollect application. Epi info 7.2.5.0. software was used for data analysis. For the analysis of associated factors, a p-value < 5% was considered. <b>Results:</b> In total, 977 women were surveyed. Among them, 43.19% underwent vaginal procedures using non-pharmaceutical products. The female practitioners were 34.34 ± 7.44 years old. The products used included plants, mineral substances, ointments, tablets, and solutions. Among the practicing women, 40.99% were looking for vaginal tightening. The main purpose was to maintain their partners (45.97%). Three-point thirty-two percent (3.32%) of the women who underwent vaginal procedures had reported adverse events. <b>Conclusion</b>: Raising awareness of the consequences of vaginal practices and encouraging women to go to a health center for any gynecological problem could significantly reduce the prevalence of vaginal practices.
- Hilber, M.A., Hull, T.H., Preston-Whyte, E., Bagnol, B., Smit, J., Wacharasin, C., et al. for the WHO GSVP Study Group (2010) A Cross Cultural Study of Vaginal Practices and Sexuality: Implications for Sexual Health. Social Science & Medicine , 70, 392-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.10.023
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research World Health Organization (2011) A Multi-Country Study on Gender, Sexuality and Vaginal Practices: Implications for Sexual Health. Pambazuka Press, Oxford, 656. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR-HRP-12-25
- Turner, A.N., Morrison, C.S., Munjoma, M.W., Moyo, P., Chipato, T. and Van de Wijgert, J.H. (2010) Vaginal Practices of HIV-Negative Zimbabwean Women. I n fectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology , 2010, Article ID: 387671. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/387671
- Lees, S., Zalwango, F., Andrew, B., Vandepitte, J., Seeley, J., Hayes, R.J., et al. (2014) Understanding Motives for Intravaginal Practices among Tanzanian and Ugandan Women at High Risk of HIV Infection: The Embodiment of Social and Cultural Norms and Well-Being. Social Science & Medicine , 102, 165-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.12.005
- Esber, A., Rao, N., Norris, A., Carr Reese, P., Kandodo, J., Nampandeni, P., et al. (2016) Intravaginal Practices and Prevalence of Sexual and Reproductive Tract Infections among Women in Rural Malawi. Sexually Transmitted Diseases , 43, 750-755. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48512139 https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000531
- McCarthy, F.N.A., Nii-Trebi, N.I., Musah, B.O. and Asmah, R.H. (2015) Intravaginal Practices and Lactobacilli Colonization among Women in Accra, Ghana. BMC Women ’ s Health , 15, Article No. 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-015-0205-2
- Hilton, H., Mehou-Loko, C., Phakathi, S., Mdladla, M., Fynn, L., Knight, L., et al. (2019) “You’ll Always Stay Right”: Understanding Vaginal Products and the Motivations for Use among Adolescents and Young Women in Rural KZN. Culture , Health & Sexuality , 21, 95-107. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1453086
- Allen, C.F., Desmond, N., Chiduo, B., Medard, L., Lees, S.S., Vallely, A., et al. (2010) Intravaginal and Menstrual Practices among Women Working in Food and Recreational Facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania: Implications for Microbicide Trials. AIDS and Behavior , 14, 1169-1181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-010-9750-8
- Francis, S.C., Baisley, K., Lees, S.S., Andrew, B., Zalwango, F., Seeley, J., et al. (2013) Vaginal Practices among Women at High Risk of HIV Infection in Uganda and Tanzania: Recorded Behavior from a Daily Pictorial Diary. PLOS ONE , 8, e59085. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059085