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

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 outpatient 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.