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Douching patterns in women related to socioeconomic and racial/ethnic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether socioeconomic and racial/ethnic characteristics contribute independently and in combination to influence douching behavior.


DESIGN
A cross-sectional design.


SETTING
United States.


PARTICIPANTS
Women between 14 and 49 years of age who were both interviewed and examined as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collection process.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Douching rates in women categorized on socioeconomic and racial and ethnic characteristics.


RESULTS
Based on data from 3,522 women, 21% reported recent douching. Separated by race, Black women douche at much higher percentage (47%) than non-Hispanic White (17%), Mexico-born Mexican American women (12.5%), or U.S.-born Mexican American women (19%). Although increasing age and low socioeconomic status are both associated with increased douching, the effects of socioeconomic status on douching vary by race/ethnicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Low income and minority racial status contribute both independently and together to influence douching behavior in women. These findings suggest cultural contributions to douching may be especially prevalent in the Black population while Mexican American women born in Mexico may be relatively immune to U.S. cultural influences.