Does women's body image affect genital self-image?

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional and descriptive study was to determine the effect of body perception on genital self-image and the relationship between them. Materials-Methods: The study was applied to women (N=1204) working in two hospitals in the province. The sample consisted of 292 women with 95% confidence interval and ±5% margin of error and 323 women were reached. Data were collected with the "Sociodemographic Data Form", "Female Genital Self-Image Scale-FGMIS" and "Body Perception Scale-BPS" developed in line with the literature. Ethics committee permissions were obtained. The data obtained from the study were evaluated on computer (SPSS-22.0). Descriptive statistical measures, t test, One-Way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, mean tests, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. p < 0.05 was considered significant, Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.49±7.36 years, mean height was 162.59±6.16 cm, and mean weight was 66.22±12.03 kg. The mean total score of the participants was 144.67±24.86 and body satisfaction was high. The mean total score of the BWBS was 19.78±4.41, and they had a positive BWB. It was determined that women's age, husband's education level, compatibility with their husbands and place of residence made a significant difference on the mean total score of the BLS. In the comparison of the total score of the BPSI and the characteristics, it was found that there was a significant difference between the mean total score of the BPSI and the status of planning to undergo aesthetic surgical intervention in the organ/body part of the body that she was not satisfied with the appearance of her body, and the status of menopause (p<0.05). Again, it was determined that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the PBIQ and the occupation and the level of harmony with the spouse. It was found that there was a significant difference between the emotion felt during vaginal examination and the mean total score of the PWBI (p<0.05). It was concluded that there was a significant difference between the midwife and nurse variables and the mean scores of the participants and that midwives had a higher mean score of WGBIQ (p<0.05). It was determined that 58.8% of the participants had non-surgical cosmetic/aesthetic applications to beautify their body. In the comparison of the obstetric and breastfeeding characteristics of the participants with the total mean scores of the BLS and WGBIQ, it was determined that there was no significant difference between the variables (p>0.05) and the groups showed similar characteristics. When the relationship between the scales was evaluated, it was determined that there was a moderate, positive, significant relationship between the BPS and the total score of the GBI (r=0.476; p=0.000) and that as the body perception score increased in women, the GBI score increased. Regression analysis showed that the predictor variables showed a significant relationship with body perception (F=10.119;p<0.05). It was found that the variables of those who planned to undergo aesthetic surgical intervention in the organ/body part (breast) that they were dissatisfied with their body appearance [β=12.603, the highest] and the total variables of the BWBS were found to be significant predictors of body perception (p<0.05). Conclusion and Recommendations: Participants who were younger, lived in the district, had a high level of education and were compatible with their husbands had a high BP, while those who worked in the midwifery profession and were compatible with their husbands had a high GBI. As the body perception score of women working in the hospital increased, the GBI score increased. It is recommended to inform the participants about the natural appearance of their body and genital areas and to provide appropriate counseling. Keywords: Midwifery, Women, Body Perception, Genital Self