Genital Hygiene Behaviors of the Female Students Who Stay at a University Student Hostel

Abstract

This study was conducted for determine the genital hygiene behaviors of the female students who stay at the university student hostels in Malatya. This study was done descriptively at the dates between 1 January-30 February 2007. The population of this study consists of one thousand female students. The sample was 276 students and determined by the formula of choosing the sample for an obvious population. The data were collected from the students by using a questionnaire with a face to face interview. The data were analyzed using average, number and percentage. The mean age of the students was 20.401.79. Of the 45.6% students clean perineal area by inappropriate methods (from behind to front or random). The study revealed that 23.2% of the students did not take a bath during menstruation and 23.2% had abnormal vaginal discharge. Of the 42% students use cotton underwear, 80.4% of them change their underwear in every 2-3 days, 38.7% students told that they use pad for vaginal discharge. 31.5% of the students who have abnormal vaginal discharge go to a doctor. In the study it was observed that students apply wrong perineum hygiene and the rate of application to medical treatment in people with vaginal discharge is low, which shows that genital hygiene applications of the students have not reached the desired level yet.