Table 3 Extent of knowledge regarding reproductive health issues in females patients and nurses
From: Feminine hygiene practices among female patients and nurses in Lebanon
Yes | No | Do not know | p-value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spray deodorant gets rid of vaginal odor if used regularly | Nurses | 6.7 % | 49.6 % | 42.2 % | 0.696 |
Patients | 4.4 % | 46.0 % | 46.9 % | ||
Total | 5.6 % | 48.0 % | 44.4 % | ||
Spray deodorant can replace the use of soap and water | Nurses | 0.7 % | 80.9 % | 17.6 % | 0.001 |
Patients | 0.9 % | 56.6 % | 39.8 % | ||
Total | 0.8 % | 69.9 % | 27.7 % | ||
Spray deodorant should be applied as intra-vaginally as possible | Nurses | 0.7 % | 64.7 % | 31.6 % | 0.141 |
Patients | 0.0 % | 52.2 % | 45.1 % | ||
Total | 0.4 % | 59.0 % | 37.8 % | ||
Vaginal douching is recommended whenever there is a change in vaginal discharge | Nurses | 32.4 % | 27.9 % | 36.8 % | 0.003 |
Patients | 12.4 % | 36.3 % | 47.8 % | ||
Total | 23.3 % | 31.7 % | 41.8 % | ||
Vaginal douching is recommended after each sexual intercourse | Nurses | 36.8 % | 40.4 % | 22.1 % | 0.0001 |
Patients | 15.0 % | 41.6 % | 40.7 % | ||
Total | 26.9 % | 41.0 % | 30.5 % | ||
Vaginal douching is recommended after menstruation | Nurses | 27.9 % | 47.1 % | 21.3 % | 0.001 |
Patients | 13.4 % | 39.3 % | 43.8 % | ||
Total | 21.4 % | 43.5 % | 31.5 % | ||
Vaginal douching can hurt the vaginal mucosa | Nurses | 52.2 % | 12.5 % | 33.1 % | 0.004 |
Patients | 29.2 % | 18.6 % | 49.6 % | ||
Total | 41.8 % | 15.3 % | 40.6 % | ||
Vaginal douching should not be done unless recommended by a doctor | Nurses | 63.2 % | 18.4 % | 16.2 % | 0.0001 |
Patients | 30.1 % | 18.6 % | 48.7 % | ||
Total | 48.2 % | 18.5 % | 30.9 % | ||
Vaginal douching causes a cystocele | Nurses | 2.9 % | 36.0 % | 59.6 % | 0.036 |
Patients | 1.8 % | 20.4 % | 73.5 % | ||
Total | 2.4 % | 28.9 % | 65.9 % | ||
Regular application of antiseptics prevents vaginal infections | Nurses | 21.3 % | 56.6 % | 19.1 % | 0.223 |
Patients | 16.8 % | 50.4 % | 30.1 % | ||
Total | 19.3 % | 53.8 % | 24.1 % | ||
Cotton underwear prevent vaginal infections | Nurses | 65.2 % | 24.4 % | 9.6 % | 0.143 |
Patients | 70.8 % | 15.0 % | 10.6 % | ||
Total | 67.7 % | 20.2 % | 10.1 % | ||
Regular vaginal douching prevents vaginal infections | Nurses | 34.6 % | 41.2 % | 23.5 % | 0.007 |
Patients | 18.6 % | 39.8 % | 38.9 % | ||
Total | 27.3 % | 40.6 % | 30.5 % | ||
Tight-fitting clothes prevent vaginal infections | Nurses | 6.6 % | 77.9 % | 14.0 % | 0.136 |
Patients | 10.6 % | 65.5 % | 19.5 % | ||
Total | 8.4 % | 72.3 % | 16.5 % | ||
Wiping after miction/defecation must be done from front to rear | Nurses | 93.4 % | 1.5 % | 4.4 % | 0.0003 |
Patients | 77.0 % | 4.4 % | 14.2 % | ||
Total | 85.9 % | 2.8 % | 8.8 % | ||
Vaginal sprays eradicate bacteria responsible for vaginitis | Nurses | 3.7 % | 56.6 % | 39.0 % | 0.0001 |
Patients | 15.0 % | 29.2 % | 53.1 % | ||
Total | 8.8 % | 44.2 % | 45.5 % | ||
Sprays are strictly harmless products | Nurses | 2.9 % | 55.9 % | 40.4 % | 0.646 |
Patients | 3.5 % | 52.2 % | 41.6 % | ||
Total | 3.2 % | 54.2 % | 41.0 % | ||
Allergic or irritative reactions to deodorants may occur evenif their previous use did not cause any problem | Nurses | 56.6 % | 14.0 % | 26.5 % | 0.0001 |
Patients | 28.3 % | 18.6 % | 50.4 % | ||
Total | 43.8 % | 16.1 % | 37.3 % | ||
Allergic or irritative reactions to deodorants do not require medical follow-up | Nurses | 5.1 % | 79.4 % | 14.7 % | 0.0001 |
Patients | 6.2 % | 45.1 % | 46.0 % | ||
Total | 5.6 % | 63.9 % | 28.9 % | ||
Modification of the quantity of vaginal discharge without signs of infection does not occur in healthy women | Nurses | 30.9 % | 55.1 % | 13.2 % | 0.002 |
Patients | 22.1 % | 43.4 % | 31.9 % | ||
Total | 26.9 % | 49.8 % | 21.7 % | ||
Persistent white to yellow vaginal discharge in small quantities is normal | Nurses | 69.1 % | 17.6 % | 11.8 % | 0.001 |
Patients | 46.0 % | 22.1 % | 28.3 % | ||
Total | 58.6 % | 19.7 % | 19.3 % | ||
Tampons should be changed twice daily regardless of the blood flow, to prevent blocking of normal vaginal discharge | Nurses | 40.4 % | 22.8 % | 35.3 % | 0.0001 |
Patients | 20.4 % | 15.9 % | 60.2 % | ||
Total | 31.3 % | 19.7 % | 46.6 % | ||
A genital infection in the partner is not considered a source of vaginal infection | Nurses | 8.8 % | 80.9 % | 9.6 % | 0.119 |
Patients | 10.6 % | 69.0 % | 17.7 % | ||
Total | 9.6 % | 75.5 % | 13.3 % |