The status of perception of vaginal discharge in women between 15 and 49 years of age and the traditional applications toward vaginal discharge

This research was carried out as a descriptive study to determine the perception of women between 15 and 49 years of age about vaginal discharge and the traditional methods towards vaginal discharge. The samplewas comprised of 383 women selected among 188.307 women who referred to Gynecology Department of Cengiz Gökçek Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital, Gaziantep. As a data collection tool, a questionnaire was used. The survey form comprised of three sections. Women's socio-demographic characteristics included in the first section,questions toward perceiving the normal vaginal discharge in the second section and an information form related to traditional methods toward normal vaginal discharge in the last section. The data obtained were analyzed in computed with SPSS for Windows, version 18 (Statistical Package For Social Sciences). In the analysis of data cause-effect relationships were statistically assessed by using percentage, Chi-square test and odds ratio (estimated relative risk). A statistically significant relationship was found between women's perception of normal vaginal discharge and age, presence of social security, defining the present discharge, presence of complaints such as discharge, itching and burning (p<0.05). A statistically significant relationship could not be found between women's use of traditional methods, their socio-demographic characteristics and receiving information related to abnormal vaginal discharge (p>0.05). 40.1% of women find traditional methods effective and 75.6% are content with traditional methods. Consequently, women's levels of perceiving abnormal vaginal discharge were found to be low. Women satisfied using traditional methods. Women should be educated and consulted about vaginal discharge and traditional methods.