• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of use of menstrual hygiene products and genital organ hygiene management in unmarried women. Methods: Data from 161 unmarried women were used for analysis. The instruments consisted of self-reported questionnaires that included 40 items: 20 on General Characteristics & Sexual Health Related Characteristics, 8 on Using Status of Menstrual Hygiene Products, 12 on Genital Organ Hygiene Management. Results: The subjects used disposable sanitary napkin as the most frequently but the satisfaction was low, while the use of reusable sanitary napkin and tampons were few, but satisfaction was high. Sixty-seven percent of the unmarried women had sex experience, and more than 60% experienced abnormal symptoms in the genital organ. There was a significant difference in genital organ hygiene management according to sex experience. Among subjects of this study, 44.1% wanted to use menstrual cup, and 98.8% wanted to have education for their menstrual hygiene products. Conclusion: Based on results of this study, a nationwide survey of the demand for menstrual hygiene products used by Korean women is needed, it is necessary to educate about the proper use of menstrual hygiene products and genital organ hygiene management.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.218-232
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify the risk factors of genital infection by examining the genital hygiene practice followed by adult women of reproductive age. The results can be applied as basic data for health education and health management on female genital hygiene practices. Methods: Data ware collected by conducting an online survey, comprising 200 adult women of reproductive age. Genital infections according to genital hygiene practice were analyzed by simple logistic regression. Results: In this study, the Odds Ratio (OR) of genital infection occurrence of genital hygiene practices used were disposable briefs 4.11 (CI 1.79-9.39, p=0.020), feminine deodorant spray 3.13 (CI 1.37-7.15, p=0.007), deodorant, vaginal inserts (tabs/supp) 10.60 (CI 3.97-28.28, p<0.001), over the counter anti-itch products 3.73 (CI 1.67-8.34, p=0.001), blotting 11.47 (CI 4.62-28.48, p<0.001), natural sea sponge 4.98 (CI 2.04-12.15, p<0.001), reusable cotton pads 5.76 (CI 2.48-13.33, p<0.001), tampons 2.60 (CI 1.17-5.77, p=0.019), tampons/pads between periods 4.79 (CI 2.07-11.10, p<0.001) and tampons/pads combination 4.11 (CI 1.79-9.39, p=0.001) Conclusion: Our results indicated the necessity to refrain from unnecessary application of genital hygiene practices, which is highly related to genital infections identified in this study. There is a need to continue education for proper performance.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.587-601
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• 2020

Exposure to hazardous substances occurs through multiple pathways. Aggregated risk assessment, which includes all potential exposure pathways to a single toxicant, is necessary to prevent exposure to harmful substances. We aimed to estimate cadmium and lead exposure through various media, such as food, water, air, smoking, cosmetics, and female hygiene products. This study covered 10,733 subjects from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2016, 2017). Dietary exposure was estimated using 24-hour recall data. For water and inhalational exposure, regional variations were considered. Water was classified as tap, bottled, and public water. Inhalational exposure was estimated using the '2014 Time Use Survey' based on daily lifestyle and social status. The frequency and volume of cosmetic usage were randomly approximated by sex and age. Post-menarcheal and premenopausal women were assumed to use feminine hygiene products. Non-carcinogenic aggregated risks were estimated using the Aggregate Risk Index from EPAs and the Total Exposure Hazard Index from Korean government guidelines. For carcinogenic risk assessment, excessive cancer risk was estimated. Ingestion, especially food, was the major route for both cadmium and lead exposure. Smoking was also associated with high cadmium exposure. Exposure to lead from cosmetics was remarkable but not critical. In aggregate risk assessments, median cadmium and lead exposure did not exceed the reference value. Sex, age, smoking status, and income affected exposure levels, unlike to regional variations.