Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model On Postmenopausal Women's Health Behaviors and Attitude Regarding Vaginal Atrophy

Mohamady, Shaimaa Hassan; Mohammed, Eman Atef; Elheshen, Sahar Abdelrady

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2023.298508

Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model On Postmenopausal Women's Health Behaviors and Attitude Regarding Vaginal Atrophy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant. Professor of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing- Helwan University.

² Lecturer of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing- Helwan University.

³ Assistant. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing- Misr University for science and technology

10.21608/tsnj.2023.298508

Abstract

Background: Vaginal atrophy is one of the most common menopausal symptoms that have a
significant negative impact on women's health, sexual function and quality of life. The aim of
this study was to investigate effect of educational intervention based on Health Belief Model on
postmenopausal women's health behaviors and attitude regarding vaginal atrophy. Design: A
quasi experimental, one group study design was utilized. Setting: at out-patient clinic at
Obstetrics and Gynecological department in Helwan General Hospital. Sampling: A purposive
sample of 123 menopausal women according to inclusion criteria. Tools: A structured
interviewing questionnaire, assessment of women's knowledge regarding menopause and
vaginal atrophy, the Health Belief Model, it composed of the five main HBM constructs, and
health behaviors to vaginal atrophy and assessment of women's attitude regarding vaginal
atrophy. Results: Minority of the postmenopausal women had good knowledge regarding
menopause and vaginal atrophy pre intervention which increased to post intervention. However
more than half of the studied women had positive attitude regarding vaginal atrophy pre
intervention which increased to post intervention. On the other hand, there was an increase in
total mean score of five constructs of health belief model toward vaginal atrophy and health
behavior pre and post educational intervention with highly statistically significant differences
(P≤ 0.001). Additionally, there were statistically significant correlation association between
women’s total score of knowledge and total score of attitudes. Conclusion: The educational
intervention based on health belief model had improved postmenopausal women’s knowledge,
health behaviors and attitude regarding vaginal atrophy. Recommendation: Health belief model
could be used as a routine model in health care sitting to permit women with comprehensive
evidence on healthy and positive attitude about menopause and vaginal atrophy among women.