Effect of Peer Education on Genital Hygiene Behaviors

NCT07464405 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: KırklareliU-EBE-SH-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examined whether peer education improves genital hygiene behaviors among female university students studying health sciences. Genital infections are common among young women, and there are limited structured educational programs addressing genital hygiene. The study included 46 female university students and used a pretest-posttest design. Peer educators were selected from among the students and received structured training before delivering genital hygiene education to their peers. Information was collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a validated genital hygiene behaviors scale, both before and after the education program. After the peer education program, students showed an overall improvement in genital hygiene behaviors, particularly in general hygiene habits. Improvements were more noticeable among students from non-midwifery departments and second-year students. Menstrual hygiene behaviors and awareness of abnormal genital findings did not show significant changes. These findings suggest that peer education can be an effective and practical approach to improving genital hygiene behaviors among female university students. Peer-led education programs may be integrated into university health promotion activities and reproductive health education.

Conditions

Health Behaviour; Hygiene; Peer Mentoring

Keywords

Genital hygiene; Peer education; Students

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in total score of the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale (GHBS)

  Participants completed the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale (GHBS), a self-reported measurement tool, under the supervision of the research team. The GHBS assesses routine genital hygiene practices, menstrual hygiene, and awareness of abnormal genital findings. Total scores ranged from 23 to 115; higher scores reflect more appropriate and health-promoting genital hygiene behaviors. Measurements were taken at two time points: baseline (pre-intervention) and 1 month after the end of the peer education program.

  The period from the initial state before intervention to one month after the completion of the peer education program.

• Change in Genital Hygiene Behaviors

  Change in total score of the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale (GHBS) measured before and after the peer education intervention.

  From baseline (pretest) to immediately after completion of the peer education program.

Study Arms (1)

Effect of Peer Education on Genital Hygiene Behaviors: A Quasi-Experimental Study

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this single study arm received a peer education intervention focused on genital hygiene and reproductive health. Trained peer educators delivered structured educational sessions covering general genital hygiene practices, menstrual hygiene, and awareness of abnormal genital findings. All participants completed assessments before and after the peer education program.

Other: peer education

Interventions

peer education OTHER

This intervention consisted of a structured peer education program on genital hygiene and reproductive health. Peer educators were selected from among the students using a sociometric method and completed a standardized training program prior to the intervention. The training prepared peer educators to deliver accurate and consistent information. Educational sessions focused on general genital hygiene practices, menstrual hygiene, and recognition of abnormal genital findings. The intervention was delivered face-to-face by trained peer educators using interactive educational methods. All participants received the same educational content.

Effect of Peer Education on Genital Hygiene Behaviors: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female university students enrolled in the faculty
• Able to read and understand Turkish
• Provided online informed consent
• Completed all study questionnaires and forms
• No active or chronic genitourinary disease at the time of enrollment

You may not qualify if:

• Male students
• Students who did not attend or withdrew from the peer education program
• Students with incomplete or missing data
• Students with an active genitourinary disease

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Seçil Hür: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırklareli Üniversitesi

Kırklareli, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• 1. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (TÜİK). Yıl, yaş grubu ve cinsiyete göre nüfus. 2024. Available from: https://l24.im/w3zj 2. Süt HK. 18-49 yaş arası kadınlarda genital hijyen davranışları ile genital enfeksiyon arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Düzce Univ Sağlık Bilim Enst Derg. 2016;6(1):8-13. 3. Dalbudak S, Bilgili N. GATA kadın hastalıkları ve doğum polikliniğine başvuran kadınların genital hijyen davranışları ve bu davranışların vajinal enfeksiyona etkisi. Gülhane Tıp Derg. 2013;55(4):281-7. 4. Mamuk R, Parlan H, Asif E, Deveci M, Akdeniz E. An assessment of menstrual and genital hygiene behaviours among adolescent females at Gazimağusa, Northern Cyprus. Clin Exp Health Sci. 2022;12(1):185-91. 5. Karadeniz H, Öztürk R, Ertem G. Analysis of genital hygiene behaviors of women who applied to women's illnesses and birth policlinic. J Clin Pract Res. 2019;41(4):402-7. 6. Kartal YA, Engin B, Teke B. Genital hygiene behaviors of midwifery students. Int J Caring Sci. 2020;13(3):2029-36. 7. Bilgiç D, Yüksel P, Gülhan H, Şirin F, Uygun H. Üniversitede yurtta kalan kız öğrencilerin genital hijyen davranışları ve sağlık sonuçları. ACU Sağlık Bilimleri Derg. 2019;10(3):478-85. 8. Parlas M, Eryılmaz G. The effects of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model-based educational program on genital hygiene behaviors: A randomized controlled trial. Health Care Women Int. 2024;45(9):984-1002. 9. Boyle J, Mattern CO, Lassiter JW, Ritzler MS. Peer 2 peer: Efficacy of a course-based peer education intervention to increase physical activity among college students. J Am Coll Health. 2011;59(6):519-29. 10. Oğul Z, Şahin NH. The effect of an educational peer-based intervention program on sexual and reproductive health behavior. J Adolesc. 2024;XX:1-13. 11. Demirağ H, Hintistan S, Cin A, Tuncay B. Sağlık hizmetleri meslek yüksekokulu öğrencilerinin genital hijyen davranışlarının incelenmesi. Bozok Tıp Derg. 2019;9(1):42-50. 12. Durmuş MK, Zengin N. Kadınların genital hijyen davranışlarının incelenmesi. Sağlı

  BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2026
• First Posted: March 11, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2023
• Primary Completion: August 8, 2023
• Study Completion: August 8, 2023
• Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)