The Relationship between Perceived Genital Self-Image and Genital Hygiene Practices in Reproductive Age Women and Influencing Factors.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship and influencing factors between the perceived genital self-image of women of reproductive age and genital hygiene practices. METHODS: The universe of this cross sectional study consisted of women aged 18-49 in Turkey. The sample consisting of 456 women, was determined using a known population sampling method. Data were collected through an online survey employing a snowball sampling technique. The research, characterized as a cross sectional exploratory study, utilized instruments such as a "Demographic Information Form", "The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS)", and the "Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale (GHBS)". Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Descriptive statistics, t test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple and multiple regression analyses were applied. A post hoc power analysis was conducted using G*Power 3.1, and the achieved statistical power exceeded 0.99. Results were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a p <0.05 statistical significance level. RESULTS: It was associated with some defining characteristics of women. The women's total FGSIS score was 13.11 ± 3.96 (min: 7, max: 28), and the mean total score of GHBS was 41.07 ± 8.47 (min: 23, max: 115). There was a significant relationship between FGSIS and GHBS (p < 0.001). The average GHBS score significantly predicted women's genital self-image (p < 0.001). The total GHBS score significantly predicted genital self-image and explained 12% of the variance in FGSIS. GHBS subdimensions explained 14% of the variance in genital self-image. In the multiple regression analysis, abnormal finding awareness and general hygiene habits were significant predictors of genital self-image, whereas menstrual hygiene was not a significant predictor. Abnormal finding awareness emerged as the strongest predictor of genital self-image. CONCLUSION: Women's genital self-image and genital hygiene behaviors were positively associated. Awareness of genital health and general hygiene habits appear to play a more important role in genital self-image than menstrual hygiene practices. Interventions aimed at improving genital health awareness and healthy hygiene behaviors may contribute to a more positive genital self-image among women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .