Nur Mawaddah Madu, St. Surya Indah Nurdin, Siskawati Umar, Fatimah Zakaria

Factors Associated with Vaginal Discharge among Hormonal Contraceptive Users at Tapa Public Health Center

Introduction

Factors associated with vaginal discharge among hormonal contraceptive users at tapa public health center. Study identifies factors (age, occupation, contraception type, vaginal pH) linked to vaginal discharge in hormonal contraceptive users. Emphasizes education & counseling.

Abstract

Vaginal discharge is often a disturbing complaint for women, especially those using hormonal contraception. Although common, this condition can be concerning, especially if accompanied by changes in color, odor, or itching. This study aims to identify factors associated with vaginal discharge among hormonal contraception users at the Tapa Community Health Center. This study used a quantitative research design with a cross-sectional approach. A sample of 58 respondents was selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test.The results showed a relationship between age and vaginal discharge (p-value =0.009 <0.05), occupation and vaginal discharge (p-value = 0.005 <0.05), type of contraception and discharge (p-value = 0.005 <0.05), and vaginal pH and discharge (p-value = 0.000 <0.05). These findings underscore the importance of healthcare professionals providing appropriate education and counseling to hormonal contraceptive users to effectively prevent and manage vaginal discharge.

Review

The study "Factors Associated with Vaginal Discharge among Hormonal Contraceptive Users at Tapa Public Health Center" addresses a clinically relevant and common concern for women, particularly those utilizing hormonal contraception. The abstract clearly states the aim to identify associated factors and employs a quantitative, cross-sectional design. The findings highlight statistically significant associations between vaginal discharge and age, occupation, type of contraception, and vaginal pH. This work contributes to understanding the multifaceted nature of vaginal discharge in this specific population. While the study presents interesting preliminary findings, several methodological aspects warrant consideration. The sample size of 58 respondents, selected via purposive sampling, is relatively small, which could limit the generalizability of the results to a broader population of hormonal contraceptive users. The cross-sectional design inherently identifies associations rather than causal relationships, a common limitation but important to acknowledge. Furthermore, the abstract would benefit from providing more detail on the specific categories within the identified factors (e.g., the range of ages, types of occupations, or specific hormonal contraceptive methods) to allow for a more nuanced interpretation of the findings. Clarification on how vaginal pH was measured (e.g., self-measurement, clinical assessment) would also enhance methodological transparency. Despite these limitations, the study's findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions. The identified associations between age, occupation, type of contraception, and vaginal pH with discharge provide actionable insights for healthcare professionals at the Tapa Public Health Center and potentially similar settings. The recommendation for appropriate education and counseling for hormonal contraceptive users is well-supported by the results. Future research could expand upon these findings by employing larger, more diverse samples, exploring the *nature* of these associations in greater detail, and potentially utilizing longitudinal designs to investigate causality. This study serves as a valuable initial exploration into an important area of women's health.

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