Creative Touch in Menstrual Attitude and Hygiene Behavior: A Drama Intervention

Ataturk University64 enrolled

Overview

In this study, the effect of creative drama-based education on menstruation attitudes and genital hygiene behaviors of adolescent girls aged 10-14 years was investigated. After screening, a total of 64 students were included in the study. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale and Menstruation Attitude Scale.The creative drama method can create an open and safe communication environment by reducing the embarrassment or shyness of young people when dealing with taboo subjects such as menstruation. This approach supported the perception of menstruation as a natural biological process and contributed to the participants developing a more positive attitude towards the subject.

This study aimed to determine the effect of training with creative drama techniques on menstruation attitudes and genital hygiene behaviors of adolescent girls aged 10-14 years. Since the study will have one experimental and one control group, it was planned to have 40 students in each group. Eight students who did not attend 75% of the 4-week training and did not participate in the posttest were excluded from the experimental group, and eight students were excluded from the control group because they gave incomplete answers. A consort flow diagram was applied in the study. Personal Information Form, Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale (GHD-S), and Menstruation Attitude Scale (MAS) were used for data collection. The creative drama method can create an open and safe communication environment by reducing the embarrassment or shyness of young people when dealing with taboo subjects such as menstruation. This approach supported the perception of menstruation as a natural biological process and contributed to the participants developing a more positive attitude towards the subject. Acquiring the right knowledge and attitudes about the menstrual period is critical for individuals to protect and improve their general health. It is known that effective health education is indispensable to meet the needs of this age group in solving problems specific to adolescence. Especially in the pubertal period, the vaginal epithelium of girls is thin and poor in glycogen due to low endogenous estrogen levels.This makes vaginal bacterial infections more common in this age group. Improper hygiene practices, such as the use of soap or shower gel for vaginal cleansing, systemic diseases such as diabetes, and the preference for tight, airtight underwear are among the factors that increase the risk of vaginal infections.For these reasons, providing adolescent girls with adequate knowledge about menstruation and genital hygiene should be an integral part of health education. Such education during adolescence helps young people develop healthy habits and is an important step towards preventing health problems they may face in the future.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Interventions

Creative drama groupOTHER

In the intervention phase of the study, creative drama training was given to adolescents one day a week for 4 weeks. Before the training, permission was obtained from the families of the individuals, and only voluntary adolescents were allowed to participate. The empty classroom in the school was made suitable for creative drama activities. Adolescents gathered in the empty classroom one day a week, and the models and activity materials prepared by the researcher were taken to the classroom during the implementation week.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 10 YearsMax age: 14 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 10-14 years old, * Female gender * No communication problems, * Not having any cognitive, affective, or psychomotor disorders * Voluntary participation in the study * Exclusion Criteria * Boys were not included in the study. * The study did not include those who did not meet the inclusion criteria. Exclusion Criteria: * Boys were not included in the study. * The study did not include those who did not meet the inclusion criteria.

Locations (1)

Ataturk university faculty of health sciences

Erzurum, Yakutiye, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale (GHD-S)

Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale (GHD-S): The scale, which has 23 items and three sub-dimensions, was developed by Karahan. The scale score range is 23-115, and as the scores increase, the correct genital hygiene behaviors increase. The Cronbach alpha value of the scale was determined as 0.80

Time frame: 5-10 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Menstruation Attitude Scale (MTS)

Menstruation Attitude Scale (MTS): The Turkish validity and reliability of the scale, which has 33 items and five sub-dimensions, was conducted by Kulakaç et al. The scale is Likert-type (1-7 points). As the score increases on the scale, menstrual behaviors increase. The scale Cronbach alpha value was determined as 0.70.