Prevalence and Perceptions of Feminine Wash Product Use Among Ghanaian Women

Introduction Feminine wash product use has been a subject of increasing interest and debate. Despite their perceived benefits, research points to potential health risks associated with their use. These products have been implicated in bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory diseases and endometriosis. The perception of individuals about these products influences their inclination and motivation to use these products. This study estimated the prevalence of feminine wash product use and assessed the perceptions of Ghanaian women on feminine wash products. Methodology This cross‐sectional study employed 304 women within the reproductive age who were recruited using random sampling procedures from the Takoradi Metropolis in the first half of 2024. Data were gathered using a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Jamovi (R Core Team 2021). Proportions and odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed with the level of significance set at 0.05 and the confidence interval set at 95%. Result The age range of the participants was 15–49 years. The prevalence of lifetime and current product use were 47.7% (95% CI = 42.0–53.5) and 42.4% (95% CI = 36.88–47.99), respectively. Perceptions of product use were interpreted as the way women think, feel or believe about using vaginal wash products. The overall mean perception score was 60.1% ± 17.8, suggestive of a positive inclination to product use or its endorsement. ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean perception score for only categories under the marital status variable ( F = 4.036; p = 0.008). Conclusion Feminine wash product use is prevalent among women of reproductive age in the Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolis, with generally positive perceptions, driven mainly by perceived cosmetic and hygiene benefits. However, these favourable perceptions coexist with limited knowledge of product safety, highlighting a gap between beliefs and evidence‐based vaginal health practices. Marital status significantly influenced perceptions. These findings highlight the need for health education, routine counselling by healthcare providers and strengthened regulation of product marketing to promote safe vaginal hygiene practices.