Effects of traditional vaginal practices on reproductive health among pregnant women at Isiolo District Hospital

Abstract

Background Although traditional vaginal practices have always been known to occur among the Cushitic communities of Kenya, the actual prevalence and their impact has not been determined. As these practices involve chemical and structural changes of vaginal lining, there is need to establish their adverse effects so that appropriate interventions are formulated. Objective To study traditional vaginal practices in Isiolo focusing on the prevalence, reasons for the practice, perceived benefits and adverse effects of the practice. Outcomes measured: prevalence, reasons for practice, perceived benefits and adverse effects experienced. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among the antenatal mothers at Isiolo district hospital. Personal interviews were conducted with 356 antenatal mothers using a structured questionnaire. Results The prevalence of life time practice of Traditional Vaginal Practices (TVPs) among the study group was 42.7%. The practice was significantly more among the Indigenous women than the Non-indigenous (53.2 vs. 25.4%; p<0.001). The prevalent types of practices found were Smoking of vagina, Irrigation with liquids, burning with hot objects,Insertion of substances, stitching to reduce vaginal size and drying with cloths. Agents used for vaginal Insertion and Irrigation were herbal products, cotton wool, salty water, soft drinks Coca cola and Sprite, domestic bleach "Jik" and water with soap. The invasive practices consisting of vaginal burning with hot objects and stitching were significantly exclusive to the indeginous communities (21.2 Vs 0.0%; p=0.008). The non- invasive modes which include vaginal smoking, irrigation, substance insertion and drying with clothes were significantly more predominant