Creative Touch in Menstrual Attitude and Hygiene Behavior: A Drama Intervention

This study aimed to determine the effect of training with creative drama techniques on menstruation attitudes and genital hygiene behaviors of adolescent girls aged 10-14 years. Since the study will have one experimental and one control group, it was planned to have 40 students in each group. Eight students who did not attend 75% of the 4-week training and did not participate in the posttest were excluded from the experimental group, and eight students were excluded from the control group because they gave incomplete answers. A consort flow diagram was applied in the study. Personal Information Form, Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale (GHD-S), and Menstruation Attitude Scale (MAS) were used for data collection. The creative drama method can create an open and safe communication environment by reducing the embarrassment or shyness of young people when dealing with taboo subjects such as menstruation. This approach supported the perception of menstruation as a natural biological process and contributed to the participants developing a more positive attitude towards the subject. Acquiring the right knowledge and attitudes about the menstrual period is critical for individuals to protect and improve their general health. It is known that effective health education is indispensable to meet the needs of this age group in solving problems specific to adolescence. Especially in the pubertal period, the vaginal epithelium of girls is thin and poor in glycogen due to low endogenous estrogen levels.This makes vaginal bacterial infections more common in this age group. Improper hygiene practices, such as the use of soap or shower gel for vaginal cleansing, systemic diseases such as diabetes, and the preference for tight, airtight underwear are among the factors that increase the risk of vaginal infections.For these reasons, providing adolescent girls with adequate knowledge about menstruation and genital hygiene should be an integral part of health education. Such education during adolescence helps young people develop healthy habits and is an important step towards preventing health problems they may face in the future.