The effect of genital hygiene education given to pregnant women diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTİ) on genital hygiene behavior and SELF-CARE agency

Aim: The aim of this study to determine the effect of genital hygiene education given to pregnant diagnosed with UTI on genital hygiene behavior and self-care power. Material and Method: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study with pregnants diagnosed with UTI in Sivas Numune Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics between September 2021-February 2022. Personal Information Form, GHBS, and SCAS were used to collect the data. In the power analysis, the sample size was calculated as 80 pregnant in each group (80 experimental-80 control). Genital hygiene education was given to the pregnants in experimental group in 4 sessions, and data collection tools were applied to the control group without any education. Descriptive statistical analyzes and t-test in dependent-independent groups were used in the analysis of the data. Results: In the measurements apply after the education, it was determined that the mean scores of the general hygiene behaviors and abnormal finding awareness sub-dimensions of the GHBS of the pregnants in the experimental group were higher than the pregnant in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant in favor of the experimental group (p<0.001). After the education, it was determined that the mean self-care power of the pregnant in experimental group was higher than the control group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant in favor of the experimental group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicated that genital hygiene education given to pregnant diagnosed with UTI increased genital hygiene behaviors and self-care power. Key Words: Midwife, Pregnant, Genital Hygiene Behavior, Urinary Tract İnfection, Self-Care Agency