The relationship of personal hygiene to the incidence of vaginal discharge in adolescents: A literature review

Introduction: Reproductive health is crucial for overall well-being, particularly in women, as it affects their reproductive organs and future generations. Poor reproductive health can lead to issues like vaginal discharge, which affects over 50% of women globally. In Indonesia, 45% of women aged 15-24 experience vaginal discharge, exacerbated by the tropical climate. Vaginal discharge can be normal (clear or milky white) or abnormal (colored, foul-smelling, and accompanied by itching) due to infections. Adolescents,are prone to vaginal discharge, often caused by fungi, parasites, or poor hygiene. Proper genital hygiene is vital to prevent such health issues.

Method: This study is a literature review, drawing from sources in Google Scholar, focusing on research published between 2019 and 2024. The study included only original research articles in English or Indonesian with all the required components.

Result and Discussion: From the literature search, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 10 studies found a relationship between personal hygiene behavior and the incidence of vaginal discharge in adolescents. 

Conclusion: According to reviews, personal hygiene behavior is associated with the incidence of vaginal discharge in adolescents.