The Relationship Between Nurse-Led Health Belief Model-Based Education and Genital Hygiene and UTI Prevention Attitudes

Overview

Objective: This study seeks to enhance the hygiene awareness of students receiving education in the healthcare field, contributing to the development of healthy lifestyle habits. Additionally, the study's findings will provide essential data for improving educational programs and establishing strategies for protecting urogenital health. Materials and Methods: The data for the study will be collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale, and the Health Belief Scale for the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections. The data analysis will be conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 25.0 Windows program, with a significance level of p\<0.05 considered statistically significant. The normality distribution of the data will be examined, and Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency analysis will be performed to assess the validity and reliability of the scales. For the analysis of descriptive data, mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage will be used. The comparison of ordinal measurements will be analyzed using the paired t-test for repeated measures in dependent groups. Design: Randomized controlled. The population of the study will consist of students enrolled in the Departments of Child Development, Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Management, and Social Work at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a private university. Using the G\*Power program, with 1-β = 0.95 power, α = 0.05 error level, and an effect size of f = 0.6, the sample size was determined to be 122 students (61 in the intervention group and 61 in the control group).

Genital hygiene is one of the fundamental health behaviors that play a crucial role in protecting women's reproductive health. The reproductive age, defined as 15-49 years, is the period in which reproductive health issues are most frequently observed. It is reported that approximately one million women worldwide experience genital infections each year, and 75% of women have a history of vaginal infection. In developing countries, this issue is a significant public health concern that women encounter at least once in their lifetime. In Turkey, regional studies indicate that both genital infections and risky hygiene behaviors that may lead to vaginal infections are prevalent. Especially among young women, adopting proper hygiene habits is crucial in preventing genital infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other urogenital health problems. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a widely used theoretical framework for understanding and improving individuals' health behaviors. HBM aims to explain individuals' perceptions of a disease or health problem and how these perceptions influence their behaviors. This model consists of several components: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action. Educational programs are expected to increase individuals' awareness based on these components and promote positive behavioral changes in hygiene practices. Hygiene education plays a vital role in maintaining genital hygiene. Various studies in the literature examine the relationship between education and young women's urogenital health. Research findings indicate that female students have knowledge gaps and that students who receive genital hygiene education adopt more conscious hygiene practices. However, experimental studies investigating the effect of HBM-based genital hygiene education on genital hygiene behaviors and attitudes toward the prevention of urinary tract infections remain limited. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the relationship between nurse-led HBM-based education provided to students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and their genital hygiene behaviors and attitudes toward UTI prevention. This study seeks to enhance the hygiene awareness of students receiving education in the healthcare field, contributing to the development of healthy lifestyle habits. Additionally, the study's findings will provide essential data for improving educational programs and establishing strategies for protecting urogenital health.