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Aim: The aim of the study was to identify risk determinants of intimate hygiene (IH) for young women (15–22 years) regarding the protection and promotion of their sexual health. Design: The study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: A specially designed questionnaire was used – Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.747. The questionnaire was distributed to a sample of female students (n = 360) aged 15–22 years. The response rate was 76% (n = 275). Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and the Chi-square (χ2) test (p < 0.05). Results: We identified the determinants of IH in terms of risky behavior, namely: complete hair removal in the intimate area (favored by 94.75%), non-performance of hygiene before and after sexual intercourse (SI) (not performed prior to SI by 38.58%, and after SI by 34.36%), not changing a wet swimming costume for dry (not performed by 58.06%), and the wearing of unsuitable undergarments. We identified a statistically significant influence of education and age on certain determinants of IH: the use of special preparations to wash intimate areas while bathing, the wearing of thongs, the changing of wet swimsuits for dry, the frequency of changing tampons during menstruation, and the performance of IH before and after SI (p < 0.05). Younger respondents (15–18 years), and those with lower education demonstrated worse IH habits with respect to the study determinants, which may be associated with lower awareness. Conclusion: We identified possible risk determinants of IH that are associated with sexual health. Our study points toward the need to improve knowledge and habits regarding appropriate and safe IH, with special focus on the risk of vulvovaginal infections. Keywords: young women (15–22 years), Intimate hygiene, Intimate hygiene determinants, Risky behavior, prevention of vulvovaginal infections.

EXAMINING THE DETERMINANTS OF INTIMATE HYGIENE FOR YOUNG WOMEN WITH AN EMPHASIS ON BEHAVIOR RELATED TO RISK OF VULVOVAGINAL INFECTIONS