Factors Associated with Urine and Genital Tract Infection Preventive Behaviors among Women Referred to Gorgan Health Centers Based on Health Belief Model

Women’s health is very important. Prevalence of Urine and genital Tract infection among women is high. This study was aimed to determine factors associated with urine and genital Tract infection preventive behaviors among women referred to Gorgan health centers based on health belief model. In this cross-sectional study, 420 women referred to Gorgan health centers were selected by two stage sampling method. Data was collected by using a self-report, reliable and valid questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS18 with descriptive (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage) and analytical statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t test and one way ANOVA). The mean age of the participants was 31.80±9.16. The mean score of knowledge was 71.93±16.68; perceived susceptibility 92.45±8.51, perceived severity 76.07±13.80, perceived benefits 95.30±6.37, perceived barriers 69.84±17.87 and the mean score of behavior were 86.71±9.14. There was a significant positive correlation between behavior with knowledge and perceived benefits. Physicians, midwives and husbands were the most important guides to action. The status of Knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and behavior were in a desirable level, but perceived barriers were at high level. According to the positive correlation between behavior with knowledge and perceived benefits, it is recommended that educational intervention be implemented by physicians and midwives with emphasis on promoting knowledge and perceived benefits of women in regard to preventive behaviors.