Comparison of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Vaginal Hygiene Behaviours Related to Pathological Vaginal Discharge Between Female Students of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics

Rinova Dinda Amelya Lubis : Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara , Rini Syahrani Harahap : Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara
Submitted: 29-03-2026 || Accepted: 03-07-2026 || Published: 01-06-2027

Abstract


Abstract: Vaginal discharge is one of the common reproductive health problems experienced by women. It refers to fluid released from the vagina other than menstrual blood. In Indonesia, approximately 75% of women have experienced vaginal discharge at least once in their lifetime. The prevalence of vaginal discharge symptoms among adolescent girls aged 15–24 years is around 31.8%. Generally, vaginal discharge is considered physiological; however, certain factors can cause it to become pathological. One of the factors associated with the occurrence of vaginal discharge is vaginal hygiene. This study aims to analyse the differences in the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to vaginal hygiene among female students of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) in relation to the occurrence of vaginal discharge. This study used a cross-sectional research design with an accidental sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test was applied for data analysis. The results showed that the majority of respondents with good knowledge of vaginal hygiene were from the Faculty of Economics, totalling 57 respondents (71.3%), while respondents with poor knowledge were found in the Faculty of Law with only 1 respondent (1.3%). Respondents with the highest proportion of positive attitudes toward vaginal hygiene were from the Faculty of Law, with 73 respondents (91.3%). In terms of behaviour, good vaginal hygiene practices were most commonly found among students of the Faculty of Economics with 58 respondents (72.5%), while the lowest was found among students of the Faculty of Law with 7 respondents (8.8%). Statistical analysis showed differences in the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding vaginal hygiene in relation to the occurrence of vaginal discharge among students of the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Law at UMSU.In conclusion, there are differences in the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to vaginal hygiene between students of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics concerning the occurrence of pathological vaginal discharge.


Keywords


Knowledge; Attitude; Behavior; Vaginal Hygiene; Vaginal Discharge;

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DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.30596/bf.v12i2.29672.g15817

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JURNAL BULETIN FARMATERA

Gedung Kampus 1 Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) Lantai II, Laboratorium Farmakologi dan Terapi Fakultas Kedokteran UMSU Jalan Gedung Arca No. 53 Medan Sumatera Utara Indonesia, Kode Pos 20217.

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