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Cited by 193Reproductive tract infections researchHIV/AIDS Research and InterventionsCervical Cancer and HPV Research

Intravaginal practices, bacterial vaginosis, and women’s susceptibility to HIV infection: epidemiological evidence and biological mechanisms.

Myer, Landon, Kuhn, Louise, Stein, Zena A, Wright, Thomas C, Denny, Lynette·2005·The Lancet Infectious Diseases
DOI 10.1016/s1473-3099(05)70298-x
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Abstract

Intravaginal practices such as "dry sex" and douching have been suggested as a risk factor that may increase women's susceptibility to HIV infection. These behaviours appear common in different populations across sub-Saharan Africa, where practices include the use of antiseptic preparations, traditional medicines, or the insertion of fingers or cloths into the vagina. We systematically review the evidence for the association between women's intravaginal practices and HIV infection. Although a number of cross-sectional studies have shown that prevalent HIV infection is more common among women reporting intravaginal practices, the temporal nature of this association is unclear. Current evidence suggests that bacterial vaginosis, which is a likely risk factor for HIV infection, may be a mediator of the association between intravaginal practices and HIV. Although biologically plausible mechanisms exist, there is currently little epidemiological evidence suggesting that intravaginal practices increase women's susceptibility to HIV infection. Further research into factors that increase women's susceptibility to HIV will help to inform the design of vaginal microbicides and other HIV prevention interventions.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s1473-3099(05)70298-x

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  • Genital hygiene methods (e.g., vaginal washing and douching) after sexual exposure are ineffective in protecting against HIV and STIs and might increase the risk for bacterial vaginosis, certain STIs, and HIV infection.

    “Genital hygiene methods (e.g., vaginal washing and douching) after sexual exposure are ineffective in protecting against HIV and STIs and might increase the risk for bacterial vaginosis (BV), certain STIs, and HIV infection (92).”

    From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [92]

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Authors
Myer, L., Kuhn, L., Stein, Z. A., Wright, T. C., & Denny, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
  • Columbia University (US)
ORCID
Venue
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-12
Volume
5
Issue
12
Pages
786-794
ISSN
1473-3099 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s1473-3099(05)70298-x
OpenAlex
W2129351297
Cited by
193
References
96
Citations by year
2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 12
FWCI
1.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • The Lancet Infectious Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
Keywords
intravaginal practices, douching, bacterial vaginosis, HIV infection, sub-Saharan Africa, vaginal microbicides, HIV prevention, traditional medicine, antiseptics
MeSH terms
Disease Susceptibility, Female, Humans, Risk Factors, Sexual Behavior, Vagina, HIV-1, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Vaginosis, Bacterial, Vaginal Douching

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