Douching Practices Among Women at High Risk of HIV Infection in the United States: Implications for Microbicide Testing and Use

Background: Douching may interfere with determination of microbicide safety and effectiveness. This practice has not been adequately studied among women at risk of HIV infection.

Goal: This study assessed douching practices among women at risk of HIV infection in the United States.

Study Design: Data were collected on douching practices, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, use of spermicidal products, and sexual risk behaviors among HIV antibody-negative women.

Results: Of 623 women, 70.2% had recently douched. Most women had been told that douching was not healthy. No associations were found between recent douching and measures of risk behaviors, except number of male partners. Recent douching was associated with being aged 26 to 30 years, compared with being 18 to 25 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2), black (OR = 3.0), or sterilized (OR = 2.0); having 5 or more male partners (OR = 4.4); and being told that douching is unhealthy (OR = 0.4).

Conclusions: Recent douching was very common. The high prevalence of douching has implications for the design of microbicide trials and prevention interventions.