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

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Health Belief Model; Education

• Registration Number: NCT06891404
• Lead Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Brief Summary

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).

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study Start: 2025-03-16
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-17
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-24
• Primary Completion: 2025-06-15
• Study Completion: 2025-08-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 122

Inclusion Criteria

• To agree to participate in the study, to fully attend the scheduled training

Exclusion Criteria

• Refusing to participate in the study, having previously taken a course on women's reproductive health and genital hygiene, incomplete attendance at the training, or incomplete filling out of the data collection tool.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Descriptive Characteristics Form	5 minutes	Consists of 14 items prepared by the researchers based on the literature.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale	15 minute	This scale, developed by Karahan, is a self-administered five-point Likert-type scale for women. The scale consists of a total of 23 items and three sub-dimensions. The sub-dimensions of the scale are: "General Hygiene Habits" (items 1-12), "Menstrual Hygiene" (items 13-20), and "Awareness of Abnormal Findings" (items 21-23). The items are scored using a numerical scale ranging from 5 (strongly agree) to 1 (strongly disagree). Items 7, 14, 19, 20, and 23 are reverse scored. The scale yields a minimum score of 23 and a maximum score of 115, with higher scores indicating more positive genital hygiene behaviors.
Health Belief Scale for the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections	15 minute	The UTI-HBM Scale consists of 26 items and covers the six dimensions of the Health Belief Model (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, health motivation, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy). It is a valid and reliable measurement tool developed to assess women's beliefs regarding the prevention of urinary tract infections. The Cronbach's alpha value for the entire scale is 0.88. A high score on the scale indicates strong health beliefs regarding the prevention of urinary tract infections.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Health Sciences; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey