The use of the natural sea sponge as a catamenial device.

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Title The use of the natural sea sponge as a catamenial device.
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Nursing
Department Nursing
Author Bensch, Rhonda L.
Contributor Ahlin, Peggy.
Date 1982-06
Description The purpose of this study was to obtain information regarding the safety of natural sea sponges as catamenial devices. Because of the recent association of menses, tampon use, and staphylococcal infection with toxic shock syndrome, this study assessed the association of catamenial use with changes in vaginal flora. Eighty-three healthy menstruating women participated by completing a confidential questionnaire and allowing the collection of cervical os cultures at mid-cycle and menses. Fifty-eight women used tampons and 25 used sea sponges. Tampons and sea sponges were also cultured. The demographic data revealed that the groups were matched with regards to age, race and parity. The yearly household incomes of the tampon users were slightly higher than the sponge users' incomes. Staphylococcal colonization was found to increase during menses in both groups. When cultured during menses, sea sponge users were found to have significantly higher colonization rates with Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and other enterobacteriacaeae. Cultures from tampon and sea sponges revealed similar results. The association of sea sponges with increased Staphylococcus aureus colonization suggests that they are not an attractive alternative to tampons in women seeking to decrease the rick of toxic shock syndrome.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Sponges; Women; Health and Hygiene; Nursing
Subject MESH Tampons; Menstruation
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "The use of the natural sea sponge as a catamenial device." Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Print version of "The use of the natural sea sponge as a catamenial device." available at J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collection. RA 4.5 1982 B45.
Rights Management © Rhonda L. Bensch.
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Identifier us-etd2,10598
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available).
ARK ark:/87278/s64q88md
Setname ir_etd
ID 193445
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s64q88md
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