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Sexual health
Research
Vaginal herb use and Chlamydia trachomatis infection: cross-sectional study among women of various ethnic groups in Suriname
  1. Jannie J Van der Helm1,
  2. Maarten Franciscus Schim van der Loeff1,
  3. Esther de Vries1,
  4. Charlotte van der Veer1,
  5. Antoon W Grünberg2,
  6. Dennis Mans3,
  7. Henry J C de Vries1,4
  1. 1 Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  2. 2 Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Paramaribo, Suriname
  3. 3 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname
  4. 4 Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam UMC location Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AI&II), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to Dr Henry J C de Vries; h.j.devries{at}amc.nl

Abstract

Objective Vaginal steam baths with herb leaves (herb use) is practised by some Surinamese women. We assessed herb use among women from the five most prevalent ethnic groups, and if herb use is associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Setting Participants were recruited at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic and a family planning clinic (FP) in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Participants 1040 women were included subsequently, comprising the following ethnic groups: Creole (26.7%), Hindustani (24.6%), Javanese (15.7%), Maroon (13.3%) and mixed descent (19.7%).

Methods Nurses collected a questionnaire and vaginal swabs for nucleic acid amplification C. trachomatis testing.

Primary outcomes Determinants of vaginal herb use and C. trachomatis infection via univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results Herb use was most common among Maroon (68.8%) and Creole women (25.2%). In multivariable analysis including only Maroon and Creole women, determinants significantly associated with vaginal herb use were (OR; 95% CI): Maroon ethnic descent (5.33; 3.26 to 8.71 vs Creole), recruitment at the STI clinic (2.04; 1.24 to 3.36 vs FP), lower education levels (3.80; 1.68 to 8.57 lower vs higher, and 2.02; 0.90 to 4.51 middle vs higher). Lower age and recruitment at the STI clinic were associated with C. trachomatis infection, but not vaginal herb use.

Conclusion In Suriname, vaginal herb use is common among Maroon and Creole women. Education, ethnic group and recruitment site were determinants for herb use. Vaginal herb use was not a determinant of C. trachomatis infection. Future research should focus on the effect of herb use on the vaginal microbiome and mucosal barrier.

  • herb therapy
  • vaginal douching
  • vaginal
  • ethnicity
  • Suriname

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits others to copy, redistribute, remix, transform and build upon this work for any purpose, provided the original work is properly cited, a link to the licence is given, and indication of whether changes were made. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025417

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    Strengths and limitations of this study

    • This is the first study into the relationship between vaginal herb use and a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Suriname.

    • Moreover, determinants such as education and ethnic group are related to vaginal herb use.

    • Patients were recruited at two different settings, an STI outpatient clinic versus a family planning clinic, allowing a broader analysis of various populations.

    • We did not assess if vaginal herbs were used intravaginally and/or externally.

    • We did not study the effect of vaginal herb use on the vaginal microbiota.

    Introduction

    Depending on cultural habits, women worldwide engage in a variety of vaginal hygiene practices, such as the use of intravaginal douches, herbal vaginal steam baths or the direct insertion of herbs into the vagina.1–4 Studies in the USA showed that women who had less income, less education, were unmarried, lived in the southern States and were of African–American descent were more likely to engage in such practices when compared with white women.2

    Vaginal practices are intended for feeling clean and fresh, getting rid of vaginal malodour, or removing residual menstrual blood,5 6 and for improving the appearance of the vagina and for enhancing sensation during intercourse, and securing the relationship with, and economic support by the male partner.2 However, these practices may increase the risk of acquiring infections, such as HIV,4 human papiloma virus,7 but also bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) and trichomoniasis.8 Particularly, intravaginal practices, such as use of water and soap, the insertion of a cloth or a piece of paper into the vagina, to dry and tighten the vagina was associated with acquiring HIV.4 An underlying mechanism for this may be that intravaginal practices deplete the relative amount of vaginal Lactobacillus sp. 4 9 Lactobacilli produce antimicrobials and acidify the vagina by lactic-acid production and are thus considered to be a hallmark for vaginal health; their depletion is known to mediate HIV and STI acquisition.4 10–13

    Risk for STI may be further increased by a breakdown of the vaginal epithelial barrier and sometimes even the occurrence of lacerations.3 In addition, a lack of vaginal fluids increases the risk of condom rupture. Although several studies have reported an association between vaginal practices and STI,1 8 14 other studies did not.15 16 Unfortunately, earlier studies did not consider the type of vaginal practice nor the frequency of their use.

    Suriname is located on the northeast coast of South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the north and surrounded by French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south and Guyana to the west. The population of approximately 570 000 is characterised by the ethnical and cultural diversity. The largest ethnic groups are the Creoles and Maroons (both originating from enslaved Africans imported in the 17th to 19th century), and the Hindustani and Javanese (descendants from indentured labourers from the former British Indies and Dutch Indies respectively, who arrived around the turn of the 20th century). There are, in addition, Indigenous Amerindians, people of mixed descent, and descendants from Chinese labourers, European colonists and immigrants from various Latin American and Caribbean countries such as Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Haiti and Cuba.17

    Among these ethnic groups, Afro-Surinamese women (Creoles and Maroons) in particular engage in a variety of vaginal practices including vaginal steam baths containing certain herbs for drying and tightening the vagina, cleansing after menstruation or after birth to prevent puerperal fever, ‘placing the uterus back into position’, or preventing a flabby abdominal wall.3 Typically, for a herbal genital steam bath, a woman sits with spread legs on a bucket or bidet containing warm water with certain herbs to steam her inner genital parts. Depending on the herbs, the cooled down bath is used to wash the genital parts after steaming.18 For direct internal application, Dettol (the brand name of the antiseptic chloroxylenol), yoghurt, lemon juice, vinegar as well as commercial products such as effervescent tablets, gels or emulsions are used. Commercial products in the form of wipes, emulsions, crèmes and mousses can also be used externally.3 18

    In this study, we examined the type and frequency of vaginal practices in women visiting an STI outpatient clinic and a family planning (FP) clinic; in particular, the use of herbs and the reasons for their use were identified. Moreover, we assessed factors associated with vaginal herb use, and examined whether vaginal herb use is a determinant of cervicovaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

    Methods

    The data used for the current study were gathered in the course of a larger study concerning chlamydia, the Urogenital Chlamydia Rapid Test Evaluation in Paramaribo and Amsterdam (CUSTEPA) study.17 19 20

    Study population

    Recruitment took place in Suriname’s capital city Paramaribo in the period 2009–2010 at two locations: the Dermatological Service, an integrated outpatient STI clinic that offers free-of-charge examination and treatment of STIs and infectious skin diseases such as leprosy and leishmaniasis; and the Lobi Foundation, an FP clinic. The study was cross sectional, and each participant was given a unique code. Subsequently, a nurse interviewed the participant about demographic characteristics, including self-reported ethnic background, sexual behaviour, symptoms, STI history and vaginal hygiene. Criteria for exclusion were age below 18 years and previous participation within the CUSTEPA study.

    Patient and public involvement

    Representatives of the Maroon population were consulted on the outcome of the study.

    Vaginal hygiene practices

    Using a structured questionnaire, nurses asked women in detail about the use of products for vaginal practices such as douches, herbs or other home-made products, and if so, at which frequency. The questionnaires included several options such as the use of herbal genital steam baths, vinegar, water, yoghurt, and two often used commercial products: Lactacyd (Omega Pharma Nederland BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) that consists of lactic acid-containing wipes, crèmes, emulsion and mousses, and Dettol (Reckitt Benckiser Group, Slough, UK). Participants could specify the products they used. Precoded answer options for the frequency of vaginal practices were: daily, weekly, monthly or less than once a month. Women who used vaginal herbs were asked about their most recent application, and the reasons for use (hygiene, sexual pleasure, health or other). Items mentioned under reason ‘other’ that fitted one of the three former reasons were regrouped accordingly.

    Specimen collection and testing procedures

    Vaginal swabs were collected by trained nurses, stored and shipped to the Public Health Laboratory in Amsterdam, as described earlier.19 Here, the samples were tested for C. trachomatis rRNA (APTIMA CT, Hologic Gen-Probe, San Diego, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Test results were sent to the clinics in Suriname, and participants (and partners if indicated) were managed as described earlier.19

    Statistical analysis

    To examine whether epidemiological characteristics and behaviour, including the use and frequency of vaginal practices, differed between women from the five major ethnic groups, characteristics and behaviours of these groups were compared using the χ2 test; age was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants for the use of vaginal herbs. In univariable analysis, the following variables were assessed: age, education, ethnic group, ethnicity of sexual partner, recruitment site, condom use, number of sexual partners in the preceding 1 and 12 month(s), having had sex in exchange for money or goods, and vaginal symptoms. Variables with p<0.05 in univariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression models; variables were removed stepwise until only significant variables were retained, but based on earlier studies age was forced into the model.1 2 A second logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess whether vaginal herb use was independently associated with C. trachomatis infection. Variables univariately associated with C. trachomatis infection were entered into a multivariable model, and stepwise removed until only significant variables were retained; vaginal herb use was forced into the model. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. SPSS statistics V.21 (IBM) was used for the analysis.

    Results

    Study population

    We initially included 1093 women who self-identified with one of the following ethnic backgrounds: 17 (1.6%) Caucasian, 12 (1.1%) Chinese, 278 (25.4%) Creole, 256 (23.4%) Hindustani, 19 (1.7%) Indigenous, 163 (14.9%) Javanese, 138 (12.6%) Maroon, 205 (18.8%) mixed descent and 5 unknown (0.5%). Due to the small numbers, we excluded Caucasian, Chinese, Indigenous women and women with unknown background from further analysis. As a result, the study population included 1040 women of either Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon or mixed descent (table 1).

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Epidemiological characteristics of Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon and mixed descent women (n=1040) recruited at the family planning clinic and sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2009–2010

    The majority of participants were recruited at the FP clinic (between 61.6% and 89.6% per ethnic background). The median age ranged from 27 years (IQR, 23–33 years) for mixed descent women to 31 years (IQR, 26–39 years) for Hindustani women (p<0.001). Most women from Maroon descent (56.5%) had lower education whereas most of those from the other ethnic backgrounds had at least medium education (p<0.001).

    Vaginal symptoms were reported frequently, ranging from 68.3% (mixed descent women) to 84.8% (Maroon women; p=0.01). In all ethnic groups, more than 80% of women reported one sexual partner during the preceding month, and more than 60% reported one sexual partner during the preceding 12 months. Discordant mixing (intercourse with a partner of a different ethnic group) was most frequently seen among mixed descent and Javanese women (60.0% and 49.1%, respectively), followed by Creole, Maroon and Hindustani women. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infections was highest in Javanese women (15.3%) followed by mixed descent women (14.1%) and Creole women (13.3%) (p=0.02).

    Vaginal hygiene

    Table 1 shows the ways in which vaginal hygiene was performed within the study population. Vaginal hygiene was most common in Maroon women (81.2%) followed by Creole (39.2%) and mixed descent women (38.0%). Between 10.4% and 21.0% of women used tap water for vaginal cleansing, with the largest proportion in Maroon (21.0%) and mixed descent women (15.1%). Lactacyd, vinegar and other substances such as Dettol were used less often.

    In those women that performed vaginal hygiene, daily use was reported by Maroons (63.1%), Creoles (43.9%), Javanese (41.2%), mixed descent (39.7%) and Hindustani (32.4%).

    Vaginal herb use

    Vaginal herb use was reported most frequent by Maroon women (68.8%), followed by Creole women (25.2%), women of mixed descent (14.1%), Javanese (4.9%) and Hindustani (3.5%) (table 1). Hygiene was the most often mentioned reason for vaginal herb use (across all groups ranging from 68.1% to 100%), followed by sexual pleasure (ranging from 0% to 63.9%). Due to low numbers of women reporting vaginal herb use among women of Hindustani, Javanese and mixed descent, only Maroon and Creole women were included in the further analyses of vaginal herb use.

    In univariable analysis, vaginal herb use was significantly associated with recruitment location, education, ethnic background, vaginal symptoms and abdominal pain (table 2). Although not significant, younger women reported vaginal herb use more often than women aged 35 years and above. In multivariable analysis, vaginal herb use was significantly associated with recruitment at the STI clinic (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.24 to 3.36 vs the FP clinic), lower education levels (OR 3.80; 95% CI 1.68 to 8.57 lower vs higher education; and OR 2.02; 95% CI 0.90 to 4.51 medium vs higher education) and Maroon ethnicity (OR, 5.33; 95% CI 3.26 to 8.71 vs Creole). Although not significant in multivariable analysis, younger age was associated with vaginal herb use.

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses of determinants associated with vaginal herb use among Creole and Maroon women, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2009–2010

    As described in table 3, a wide variety of herbs were used. Maroon women predominantly used ‘kill somebody’ or ‘kill your darling Dimorphandra conjugata (Splitg.) Sandw. (Fabaceae)’,13 the ‘jambolan or dyamu Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae)’,9 the ‘towel or wasduku Clidemia capitellata (Bonpl.) D.Don (Melastomataceae)’,9 the ‘guavaberry or andoya Campomanesia aromatica (Aubl.) Griseb. (Myrtaceae)’,6 and ‘pikin bë/witi baka píyjá páu (small red/white backed pineapple) Vismia Vand. sp. (Hypericaceae)’.7 Creole women mostly mentioned ‘sea island cotton or redikatun Gossypium barbadense L. (Malvaceae)’16 in addition to the leaves of the ‘tropical-almond or amandra Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae)’, the ‘mess apple or broko pi (‘broken penis’) Bellucia grossularioides (L.) Triana (Melastomataceae)’, the ‘guava or guyaba Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)’, the ‘jungle geranium or faya lobi (‘fiery love’) Ixora coccinea L. (Rubiaceae)’, and the ‘ant bush or kapasiwiwiri (‘herb of the nine-banded armadillo’) Siparuna guianensis Aubl. (Monimiaceae)’.

    View this table:
    Table 3

    Vaginal products mentioned among female participants performing vaginal hygiene, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2009–2010

    Vaginal herb use and C. trachomatis infection

    Vaginal herb use was not associated with C. trachomatis infection, neither in univariable nor in multivariable analysis (adjusted OR [aOR], 1.20; 95% CI 0.65 to 2.22, p=0.564; table 4). In contrast, recruitment location, age and reporting sex in exchange for money or goods were associated with C. trachomatis infection in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, chlamydia infection was associated with recruitment at the STI clinic versus FP clinic (OR, 2.59; 95% CI 1.39 to 4.83; p=0.003) and also with younger age, both for <25 years, and 25–29 years versus ≥35 years (resp aOR, 4.37; 95% CI 1.59 to 12.00, aOR 4.96; 95% CI 1.72 to 14.26 and aOR 1.20; 95% CI 0.33 to 4.35; p=0.002).

    View this table:
    Table 4

    Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses of variables associated with cervicovaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection among Creole and Maroon women, Paramaribo, Suriname, 2009–2010

    Discussion

    We assessed the use and frequency of various vaginal practices among female STI clinic and FP clinic visitors in Suriname, and found that: (1) vaginal practices are commonly used, and most frequently by Maroon, Creole and mixed decent women; (2) vaginal herb use is more common among women with lower education; (3) vaginal herb use is most frequently practised for hygienic reasons and (4) vaginal herb use is not associated with C. trachomatis infection.

    Ethnic background was the most important determinant for vaginal herb use. The extensive vaginal use of herbs among Maroon women has previously been described in French Guiana, where a prevalence of 96.1% was found.21

    Women who experienced vaginal symptoms were more likely to engage in vaginal herb use. Since this is a cross-sectional study, it is not clear if vaginal symptoms are a cause, or an effect of vaginal practices. A Cambodian study also found an association between vaginal douching and vaginal symptoms.22 Similarly, female sex workers in China were more likely to engage in vaginal practices when having STI-related symptoms, and reportedly engaged more in vaginal douching when experiencing vaginal symptoms.23 In contrast, a study with Jamaican women who attended a public STI clinic found that vaginal itching led to a lower frequency of vaginal douching.24 Prospective (intervention) studies could shed light on any casual links between vaginal practices and vaginal symptoms. The high prevalence of vaginal herb use among Maroon women has been previously reported, and it is conceivable that Maroon women do not engage in vaginal herb use as consequence of vaginal symptoms but rather out of (cultural) habit.21

    As previously described, hygiene was the most important reason for vaginal herb use, followed by sexual reasons.3 Moreover, Maroon women mentioned as a reason to make oneself more attractive for one’s partner.

    We found no association between vaginal herb use and infection with C. trachomatis. This confirms earlier findings of the above-mentioned Chinese study where no association was found among sex workers between vaginal practices (mostly disinfectants after sex with clients) and STI (syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoea and C. trachomatis combined).23

    This study has some limitations. This study did not assess the mode of vaginal practices, for example, whether the products were applied intravaginally and/or externally. Previous studies have found associations between the internal use of vaginal practices and HIV.4 Therefore, we cannot exclude that the lack of association between vaginal herb use and C. trachomatis infection may be explained by predominantly external use of herbs. Moreover, we did not study the effect of vaginal herb use on the vaginal microbiota. Lactobacilli generally constitute a healthy vaginal microbiota as they generate an acidic environment (pH 4.0–4.5) and produce antimicrobials, that restrict the growth of most pathogens.25 A non-lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota is thus considered dysbiotic. Intravaginal practices have been linked to developing vaginal dysbiosis,4 9 26 27 but these studies studied douching behaviour in general and did not differentiate between different types of intravaginal products. The use of an over-the-counter lactic acid containing douche was recently studied prospectively among healthy Dutch women and this was not found to significantly impact the vaginal microbiota composition, although an increased odds for having non-lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota among users was observed.28 Additionally, douching significantly increased the odds for testing positive for Candida albicans. Three douching intervention studies failed to show a significant effect of douching cessation on the vaginal microbiota,9 29 although one study did observe significantly reduced candidiasis prevalence.30 The specific effect of herb use on the vaginal microbiota is currently unknown and may differ by study population and by specific herb used. Compared with Caucasian women, women of African descent are more likely to have vaginal microbiota not dominated by Lactobacillus sp. 11 31 32 More research is needed to evaluate the impact of vaginal herb use on the vaginal microbiome and its potential to cause dysbiosis. Since vaginal herb use involves female hygiene, sexuality and cultural identity, it is considered a sensitive subject in Surinamese society.33 Therefore, the anthropological and psychological aspects of vaginal herb use should be studied in detail to shed more light on this widely used phenomenon.

    In conclusion, in the multiethnic society of Suriname, many Maroon and Creole women use vaginal herbs. Apart from ethnic group, education and being recruited at an STI clinic (as opposed to an FP clinic) were the main determinants for vaginal herb use. Vaginal herb use was not associated with C. trachomatis infection. Whether vaginal herb use has beneficial or possible negative effects on female health needs to be assessed in future studies.

    Acknowledgments

    The author would like to thank Leslie O A Sabajo, all nurses and laboratory technicians of the Dermatological Service and the Lobi Foundation for data collection, and Titia Heijman for helpful suggestions.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors JJVdH collected the data, analysed the data and wrote the manuscript; MFSvdL supervised the analysis and wrote the manuscript; EdV analysed the data and wrote the first manuscript draft; CvdV wrote the manuscript; AWG designed the study, collected data and wrote the manuscript; DM collected the data and wrote the manuscript; and HJCdV designed the study, and wrote the manuscript.

    • Funding This work was supported by the Research and Development fund of the Public Health Service of Amsterdam [project nos 2369 and 2371] and AGIS healthcare insurance [RVVZ no 1417000].

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Ethics approval The study was approved by the Ethics Committees of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Suriname (VG010-2007) and the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (MEC07/127).

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Data sharing statement Deidentified participant data are available upon request through the corresponding author HJCdV. ORCID identifier 0000-0001-9784-547X.

    • Correction notice This article has been corrected since it first published online. The open access licence type has been amended.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.