Clinical trial NCT07026396: Creative Touch in Menstrual Attitude and Hygiene Behavior: A Drama Intervention
Official title: Creative Touch in Menstrual Attitude and Hygiene Behavior: A Drama Intervention
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Creative Drama
Genital Hygiene
Menstrual Cycle
Adolescent
Keywords: adolescent
menstruation
creative drama
Lead sponsor: Ataturk University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-06-18
Enrollment: 64
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 10
Maximum age (years): 14
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Randomize-control trial
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: In this study, the effect of creative drama-based education on menstruation attitudes and genital hygiene behaviors of adolescent girls aged 10-14 years was investigated. After screening, a total of 64 students were included in the study. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale and Menstruation Attitude Scale.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.

Detailed description: 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.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 10-14 years old,
* Female gender
* No communication problems,
* Not having any cognitive, affective, or psychomotor disorders
* Voluntary participation in the study
* Exclusion Criteria
* Boys were not included in the study.
* The study did not include those who did not meet the inclusion criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Boys were not included in the study.
* The study did not include those who did not meet the inclusion criteria.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Genital Hygiene Behavior Scale (GHD-S)
timeFrame: 5-10 minutes
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Menstruation Attitude Scale (MTS)
timeFrame: 5-10 minutes
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Erzurum
country: Turkey
facility: Ataturk university faculty of health sciences
state: Yakutiye
Study officials:
References:
citation: Sayar SE, Capik C. The Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Creative Drama Education on Health Locus of Control and Smoking Perception in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Public Health Nurs. 2025 May-Jun;42(3):1343-1353. doi: 10.1111/phn.13550. Epub 2025 Mar 6.
citation: Soleymani MR, Hemmati S, Ashrafi-Rizi H, Shahrzadi L. Comparison of the effects of storytelling and creative drama methods on children's awareness about personal hygiene. J Educ Health Promot. 2017 Oct 4;6:82. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_56_16. eCollection 2017.