Effect of health literacy program on improving of elderly women awareness and self-practice about vaginal atrophy

Abstract

As the number of elderly persons in our country increases, vaginal atrophy affects 10 to 40% of postmenopausal women worldwide. Promotion of health literacy level is one of the main non-pharmaceutical measures proposed to older adults. Aim of the study:To determine the effect of health literacy on improving of elderly women awareness and self-practice about vaginal atrophy. Subjects and Method: quasi-experimental research design was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted in two geriatric clubs at Assiut City (Geriatric club of Legitimacy Assembly and Geriatric club of Islamic Cultural Center). Sample: The total number of elderly women attending to previously mentioned setting (200) it was taken to assessment of health literacy. The program was conducted on participants who had low level of health literacy for (100) elderly women and was using purposive sampling in this study. The main results yielded by the study, proved that a highly statistical significant difference between pre & posttest program as regarding health literacy awareness and self-practice about vaginal atrophy for elderly women. This study concluded that the health literacy program was effective on improving the awareness and self-practice about vaginal atrophy for women. This study recommended that be conducted on another sample acquired from different age & areas for generalization in Egypt.