Effect of Genital Hygienic Practices in Genital Infection and Urinary Tract infection in Childbearing Period

Background: Urogenital infections and its serious complications remain a critical problem. The healthy hygiene habits are considered as the corner stone in prevention of such infection. However, women lack knowledge about appropriate genital hygiene practices are increasingly reported. Thus, it is important to determine the risk factors associated with urogenital infections. Aim and objectives: To evaluate the effect of genital hygienic practices in genital infection and urinary tract infection in childbearing period. Patients and methods: The current study conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Al-Azhar University Hospitals. It included 376 patients. Data about patient demographics and certain general and sexual-related hygiene habits was collected by a pre-formed questionnaire, covering the last 6 months before inclusion in the study. The rate of urogenital infection was calculated and association factors were determined. Result: The urogenital infection was significantly associated with reduced washed sexual area before and after intercourse, low urination after intercourse, absent cleaning after intercourse, higher use of wet wipes and lubricants, lower use of cotton type of underwear, low frequency of changing underwear, higher use of public restrooms and swimming pools, lower bathing during menstruation and genital cleaning from back to front. In addition, the infection was significantly associated with higher use of soap to clean the genital area, lower use of toilet paper, higher removal of pubic hair (with creams and lasers are the commonest associated with infection), higher use of vaginal douche, lower use of daily pads, higher use of genital deodorants, lower use of sanitary pads, higher use of contraceptives (but the method of contraception did not significantly associate with infection). Conclusion: Urogenital infection was significantly linked to certain hygiene and sexual practices. Thus, promoting better hygiene practices, particularly in relation to urogenital care could reduce the prevalence of infections.