A Descriptive Comparative Study of Vaginal Infection Control Practices between Rural and Urban Women | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Health Care | ||||
| Article 63, Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2023, Page 888-904 PDF (444.02 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhc.2023.289874 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| Heba Atef Osman; Hanan Abd El Monem Mohamed | ||||
| Lecturer of Woman Health and Obstetrics Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Vaginal infection (VI) is a global health problem for women that requires specific control practices. The aim: The study aimed to compare women from rural and urban areas in Minia governorate in Egypt regarding their vaginal infection control practices. Setting: One public hospital in Minia city and three public health centers in three villages (Bani Ahmed, Tahnashi, and El-Bourjia) in Minia governorate in Egypt. Design: A descriptive comparative research design. Sampling: A convenient sample included 200 women [rural women = 100 and urban women = 100] were recruited in the current study. Tools: Two tools were used to collect data, Tool I: Interviewing questionnaire that includes 4 parts. Part 1: Sociodemographic characteristics, Part 2: Reproductive history, Part 3: Characteristics of vaginal discharge and Part 4: Personal hygiene habits. Tool II: Vaginal Infection Control Practices Scale includes 2 parts: Part 1: Vaginal infection control practices. Part 2: Practice during menstruation to avoid lower reproductive tract infection. Results: The percentage of urban women was significantly higher than the percentage of rural women in terms of maintaining high levels of personal hygiene habits. The most distinct difference was the number of showers taken per week. The percentage of urban women was significantly higher than the percentage of rural women in terms of their menstruation hygiene practices. The most distinct difference was the use of sanitary cotton pads. The percentage of urban women was significantly higher than the percentage of rural women in terms of their vaginal infection control practices. The most distinct difference was the use of odors to relieve vaginal odor. Conclusion. There are significant differences between rural and urban women in terms of personal hygiene habits, menstruation hygiene practices, and vaginal infection control practices, favoring urban women. Recommendations: It is recommended that promising educational training programs and /or intervention techniques be designed to develop women’s awareness and knowledge of the importance of their overall hygiene habits, menstruation hygiene practices, and infection control practices for their sexual life and overall health. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Vaginal infection control; Hygiene Habits; Menstruation; Rural women; Urban women | ||||
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