Abstract
Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the genital hygiene behaviors of women living in a slum area. Method: This descriptive research, which was conducted with women living in low socioeconomic level in Akincilar and Suluca region of Adana. The population of the study was composed of approximately 420 women who living in Akincilar and Suluca region. The sample was calculated by simple random sampling method and 146 women were included in the study. Data was collected using a Personal Information Form and Genital Hygiene Behaviors Inventory. The obtained data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Post-hoc test statistics. Results: It was determined that the average age of the women was 31.25±10.42, 48.6% of them are illiterate, all of them married, not working and income perceptions are less than the income. It was determined that total median score of women from Genital Hygiene Behaviors Inventory are 46. It was found that the difference between Genital Hygiene Behaviors Inventory median scores of women according to educational status, educational status of spouses, perceptions of nutritional status, smoking status and frequency of changing daily pad were significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this research, it was determined that Genital Hygiene Behaviors of women living in a slum area are insufficient.
Highlights
Genital infections are one of the health problems from which women have frequently suffered
Type of research: This study was conducted in a descriptive manner to evaluate the genital hygiene behaviors of women living in a slum area
Our results show that women frequently changing pads during menstruation care more about genital hygiene behaviors
Summary
Genital infections are one of the health problems from which women have frequently suffered. Genital infections result from many reasons, among which the anatomical structure ranks first. The normal vaginal flora in the female reproductive system provides a natural protection mechanism, the risk of the genital infection does increase since the urethra, vagina and anus are juxtaposed [1,2]. Many factors including more than one partner, inappropriate menstrual, toilet and post-coital hygiene habits, the wear of narrow and synthetic clothing, malnutrition, systemic diseases (diabetes), more than one birth, miscarriage and curettage, long and intense stress, long-term antibiotic and steroid use, vaginal douching, tampon use, poor environmental conditions caused by low socio-economic status, and lack of education contribute to the development of genital infections [1,3,4]. Serious complications occur when the infection is not treated [5]. Psychological and sexual problems, social isolation, fatigue and deterioration in the quality of life can be observed in women [7]
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