This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Researchers have demonstrated that significant health problems are associated with douching. Despite messages by health care providers advising against this practice and the warning label on commercially prepared douching products, many women still consider douching to be acceptable. While rates for adolescents are somewhat lower than for older women, studies have documented douching rates among young women ranging from 16-69%. Douching is associated with a variety of adverse reproductive tract outcomes including bacterial vaginosis and PID. This study is a randomized trial of 270 women aged 16-24 to determine if a Client Centered Behavioral Intervention along with educational brochures about douching and reproductive health is better than only educational brochures in reducing the practice of douching (as measured by self-report douching). A secondary biological outcome, bacterial vaginosis as measure by Gram stain, will also be measured to corroborate the findings of the primary self reported outcome.
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