Female university students' menstrual-hygiene management and factors associated with genitourinary-tract infections in Korea.

This study examined female university students' menstrual-hygiene management and identified factors associated with genitourinary tract infections in this sample. This study was conducted as a descriptive survey. Participants were 383 female students from six universities in South Korea. Data were collected between April and June, 2017. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to access the factors associated with genitourinary-tract infections. Multiple logistic regression revealed that genitourinary tract infections were significantly associated with low socioeconomic level, history of sexual intercourse, and vaginal douching during menstruation. We evaluated menstrual hygiene practices and their relation to genitourinary tract infections. Korean college students were relatively good at managing menstrual hygiene. However, some menstrual hygiene behaviors were improper. Therefore, school and community health agencies should provide education to maintain adequate menstrual hygiene and correct erroneous hygiene practices to prevent genitourinary tract infections.