• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2018

Objectives: Preservatives, suspected to be endocrine disrupting chemicals, are widely used in feminine hygiene products for the prevention of deterioration. Information regarding the usage patterns of feminine hygiene products and the concentrations of preservatives in these products is limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the use of feminine cleansers among Korean women and quantify the concentration of preservatives in feminine cleansers. Methods: Approximately 500 women were recruited from the city of Busan in August 2017 and a questionnaire survey was conducted on the use of feminine cleansers. Several major feminine hygiene products (n=69) were identified and selected for analysis of 22 preservatives. Following appropriate preparation, the products were analyzed by HPLC/DAD. Results: Over 70% of the participating women used at least one feminine cleanser. Marital status and parity were associated with the frequency of use. Liquid was most frequently used form of feminine cleanser (66.6%). The greatest proportion of subjects answered that they use it 'one to two times per week' (36.5%). Among the 69 feminine cleansers, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, phenoxyethanol, and methyl paraben were detected at $144-4,428{\mu}g/g$, $195-1,470{\mu}g/g$, $269-4,237{\mu}g/g$, and $625-4,901{\mu}g/g$, respectively. BA was the most frequently detected (46.4%). Conclusions: In the present study, the characteristics of feminine cleanser use among Korean women were investigated. Based on an analysis of preservatives in the feminine hygiene products, one product was determined to exceed the maximum authorized concentration of MeP (0.4%). Our results will help refine exposure and risk assessment for toxic chemicals in feminine cleansers.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.285-294
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to survey feminine hygiene and vaginal douche practices in middle-aged women to obtain basic information for public health education. Methods: With a descriptive survey design, 134 middle-aged women who have menstrual period were recruited via convenience sampling. Survey contents were from the study by Czerwinski (2000) regarding feminine hygiene and vaginal douching practices. After obtaining IRB approval, a self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed to study participants. Results: Mean age of middle-aged women was 46.88 years old. Fifty-six percent of the women practiced vaginal douching. Women performed douching with water (68%), commercial products (13%), soap (12%), and vinegar-mixed water (6%) for clean and fresh feeling, removal of unpleasant odor, and removal of vaginal discharge. Vaginal douche practice was significantly related to a history of vaginitis. Conclusion: The study results indicate that most of the women practiced inadequate feminine hygiene especially in douching, suggesting that is important to develop education programs on feminine hygiene practices for women of all ages, especially regarding douching and hand washing before and after changing pads or tampons.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the condition of feminine hygiene behaviors to identify factors predicting bacterial vaginosis infection. Methods: A self-reporting survey was conducted with 385 female university students in Korea through a descriptive survey. Data were collected on demographics, feminine hygiene behaviors, and bacterial vaginosis infection. Results: The bacterial vaginosis infection rate was 37.9%. Factors predicting bacterial vaginosis infection were grade, age of menarche, history of sexual intercourse, history of sexually transmitted infection, experience of using a bidet, internal douche during menses, over the counter drug anti-itch products, tampons, and tampons/pads combination. Conclusion: To prevent bacterial vaginosis infection among female university students, information and education should be provided to promote positive feminine hygiene behaviors at the university and at home. Results of this study are essential to improve education and practices that will prevent bacterial vaginosis in female university students.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.218-232
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify the risk factors of genital infection by examining the genital hygiene practice followed by adult women of reproductive age. The results can be applied as basic data for health education and health management on female genital hygiene practices. Methods: Data ware collected by conducting an online survey, comprising 200 adult women of reproductive age. Genital infections according to genital hygiene practice were analyzed by simple logistic regression. Results: In this study, the Odds Ratio (OR) of genital infection occurrence of genital hygiene practices used were disposable briefs 4.11 (CI 1.79-9.39, p=0.020), feminine deodorant spray 3.13 (CI 1.37-7.15, p=0.007), deodorant, vaginal inserts (tabs/supp) 10.60 (CI 3.97-28.28, p<0.001), over the counter anti-itch products 3.73 (CI 1.67-8.34, p=0.001), blotting 11.47 (CI 4.62-28.48, p<0.001), natural sea sponge 4.98 (CI 2.04-12.15, p<0.001), reusable cotton pads 5.76 (CI 2.48-13.33, p<0.001), tampons 2.60 (CI 1.17-5.77, p=0.019), tampons/pads between periods 4.79 (CI 2.07-11.10, p<0.001) and tampons/pads combination 4.11 (CI 1.79-9.39, p=0.001) Conclusion: Our results indicated the necessity to refrain from unnecessary application of genital hygiene practices, which is highly related to genital infections identified in this study. There is a need to continue education for proper performance.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.215-224
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• 2014

Purpose: The study was to survey personal hygiene practice related to genito-urinary tract and menstrual hygiene management in female adolescents in order to obtain basic information for health education. Methods: With a descriptive survey design, 389 adolescents were recruited via convenience sampling in Korea. Survey instrument was the feminine and menstrual hygiene practice and perception of vaginal douching. Data were collected from a self-administered structured questionnaire. Results: Mean age of adolescents was 16.09 and menarche was at 13.21. While washing hands after urination/defecation was highly performed, wipe front to back and wash with soap and water were reported as being not well done. Twenty-eight percent reported douching habit. More positive beliefs about douching were reported by adolescents who practiced douching. Menstrual hygiene management was very appropriate with changing sanitary pads regularly with hand washing; but less performed for limiting bathing activity during menstrual periods and washing hands after activity of genito-urinary area. Conclusion: Some adolescents practiced inadequate hygiene practices especially for body cleansing during menstrual period and vaginal douching. It is important to develop and implement school health education programs on feminine and personal hygiene for adolescents to help them perform adequate health behaviors.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.165-167
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• 2014

Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate the effects of Inclear, a feminine cleanser, on sperm motility. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from infertile male patients. Following liquefaction, the raw semen samples were diluted with Ham's F-10 nutrient mixture medium containing 0.4% human serum albumin solution at a ratio of 1:3. The semen samples were subsequently centrifuged to separate the seminal plasma from the serum. The supernatant was discarded, and the pellet was resuspended. The sample was again centrifuged to remove cell debris, and the supernatant was removed. The final pellet was gently loosened by resuspension and incubated in medium alone as a control, and in a 10% solution of the medium plus Inclear. A sampling time of 30 minutes was selected on the basis of sperm transport studies. Sperm motility was evaluated with computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: A total of 20 samples were analyzed. The mean age of patients was $34.40{\pm}2.96years$. There was no difference in sperm concentration and motility in the two samples at 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. In both semen samples, the sperm concentration and motility decreased after an incubation period of 30 minutes. However, there was no statistical difference between the samples. Sperm concentration and motility were not significantly different between the control and Inclear samples after 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. Conclusion: Inclear has no negative effects on sperm motility. This product can be recommended to pregnancy planners for vaginal hygiene and as a vaginal lubricant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.853-859
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• 2009

Endometriosis becomes the most common cause of pelvic pain and infertility women. The cause of endometriosis has ever been entirely proven. However, an increased use of commercial feminine hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary napkins was considered one of the major affect. Harmful substances in feminine hygiene products was analyzed and evaluated. Samples of commercial products obtained from Korea, Japan, America, Germany, and China were analyzed for six hazardous inorganic elements (chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, cadmium and lead). In the extractable heavy metals of napkins, Cr, Ni and Cu were found in all of the samples, while Cd was detected only in two samples. In the tampons, Cr, Ni and Cu were found in all of the samples. The presence of Co and Cd was not detected in all samples The concentrations of extractable heavy metals in the tampons were lower than those in the sanitary napkins. The content of extractable heavy metals in the sanitary products was compared with the criteria of the 100 $\ddot{O}KO$ TEX Standard. It was confirmed that the level of heavy metals in the sanitary products posed no serious risk to health, based on the human-ecological criteria defined by the 100 $\ddot{O}KO$ TEX Standard.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.790-801
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• 2006

This study analyzed features of elements that compose a logo of inner wear brands to get the following results: First, it was found that "elegance" was the most frequently used word to express the concept of inner wear brands to be followed by words like dignity, high-end and aristocratic, words emphasizing femininity, such as feminine, romantic and sexy, words emphasizing practicality, such as convenient, practical, modern, functional and reasonable, and words emphasizing hygiene, such as clean, healthy and hygienic. This suggests that consumers nowadays pursue image more than functional aspects in the shopping of inner wear and consumers' pursuit of such values is reflected in the concept of inner wear brands. Second, unlike logos for outerwear brands that generally used initials of brand name, word-type logos for inner wear brands used the full name of brands, thus suggesting that they put more emphasis on delivery of information rather than on the symbolic aspect. In case of combining characters with concrete objects, they were found generally to use objects that give an soft, elegant and feminine image, such as flowers, woman's head and ribbons. Third, colors in the series of pink and red seemed to be used to convey the concept of inner wear brands that pursue such images as romanticism, femininity, elegance and sensibility, while colors in the series of blue, black and grey for such concepts as functionality, practicality, simplicity, health, hygiene and refinement. With reference to typeface used in the design of logos, unlike outerwear brands of which 83% use sans serif typeface for logos, relatively high percentage of inner wear was found to use typefaces of serif series to stress feminine flexibility and delicacy and give the image of elegance and classical tenderness. With reference to language used in logo naming for inner wear brands, 33 brands were found to use English and only three brands used Korean among the 36 brands surveyed. Even with inner wear brand logos that have Korean name, it was found that they used English in the use of logo marks. Like the result of previous studies, the result of this study indicates that methods to design brand logos for clothing should be incessantly sought in a way to build brand power as an important component to represent concept or function of brands and reinforce brand image.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.587-601
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• 2020

Exposure to hazardous substances occurs through multiple pathways. Aggregated risk assessment, which includes all potential exposure pathways to a single toxicant, is necessary to prevent exposure to harmful substances. We aimed to estimate cadmium and lead exposure through various media, such as food, water, air, smoking, cosmetics, and female hygiene products. This study covered 10,733 subjects from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2016, 2017). Dietary exposure was estimated using 24-hour recall data. For water and inhalational exposure, regional variations were considered. Water was classified as tap, bottled, and public water. Inhalational exposure was estimated using the '2014 Time Use Survey' based on daily lifestyle and social status. The frequency and volume of cosmetic usage were randomly approximated by sex and age. Post-menarcheal and premenopausal women were assumed to use feminine hygiene products. Non-carcinogenic aggregated risks were estimated using the Aggregate Risk Index from EPAs and the Total Exposure Hazard Index from Korean government guidelines. For carcinogenic risk assessment, excessive cancer risk was estimated. Ingestion, especially food, was the major route for both cadmium and lead exposure. Smoking was also associated with high cadmium exposure. Exposure to lead from cosmetics was remarkable but not critical. In aggregate risk assessments, median cadmium and lead exposure did not exceed the reference value. Sex, age, smoking status, and income affected exposure levels, unlike to regional variations.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.1023-1035
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• 2008

This study conducted a survey to find out dermatitis patients' preferred garment performance and their sentiment in spring/summer knitwears. SPSS 12.0 program was used for factor analysis, frequency analysis, T-test, ANOVA, and Duncan test. The result was as follows; First, in garments, patients required 'health hygiene', 'practicality in use care', 'skin contact' and 'easy movement'. Especially, 'skin contact' is an important property to be considered in patients' clothes. Second, in garment sensitivity, patients importantly considered 'modesty', 'feminine', 'boldness', 'decency', 'easy movement', 'youth', and 'simplicity'. Third, patients preferred simple and modest plain knitwear in light color with thin and soft fabric such as plain knit. And especially, dot pattern in knitwears should be avoided. Fourth, the preferred style of patients was that 'appropriately fit with suitable ease.' They also preferred 'front closed,' ; 'boat neckline' and 'V neckline'; 'raglan sleeve' and 'set-in sleeve'. For hem trim, they preferred 'rib'. Male preferred simple and plain style with round collar of 'tubular trim' and 'rib trim', while female preferred sophisticated and characteristic style with setin sleeve.