THE EFFECT OF PEER EDUCATION PROVIDED TO YOUNG GIRLS ON GENİTAL HYGIENE BEHAVIORS AND SELF-CARE AGENCY
Keywords:
Female genital, Hygiene, Education, Self-care agencyAbstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of peer education provided to young girls on genital hygiene behaviors and self-care agency. This study, conducted using a pretest–posttest controlled experimental design, was carried out with 60 female students studying at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Technical Sciences Vocational School. Data were collected before the intervention and four weeks after the education using the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale and the Self-Care Agency Scale. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent and paired samples t-tests, and Cohen’s d coefficient were used for data analysis. A significant increase was observed in the total score and all subscale scores of the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale, as well as in the total score of the Self-Care Agency Scale in the peer education group after the intervention (p<0.001). In the control group, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the total Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale score (p<0.05), whereas no significant changes were found in the subscale scores or the total Self-Care Agency Scale score (p>0.05). When the change scores were compared, the increase in genital hygiene behaviors and self-care agency was significantly higher in the peer education group than in the control group. The findings of this study indicate that the peer education approach is an effective method for improving genital hygiene behaviors and self-care agency among young girls. Based on these findings, it is recommended that peer education-based programs be implemented in educational interventions aimed at protecting the reproductive health of young girls.
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