Predictors of Genital Hygiene Behaviors Among Women Recruited Through an Online Survey in Türkiye: The Role of Health Literacy

Aim: This study aimed to determine health literacy and genital hygiene behavior levels, examine the relationship between these variables, and evaluate the factors associated with genital hygiene behaviors among women aged 18 years and older who were recruited through an online survey in Türkiye. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Türkiye between 31 March and May 2026 with 469 women aged 18 years and older who were recruited through an online survey distributed via social media. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Scale and the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Results: The mean Health Literacy Scale score was 109.61 ± 13.77 (possible range: 25–125), while the mean Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale score was 95.94 ± 9.91 (possible range: 23–115). A positive, statistically significant, but small correlation was found between health literacy and genital hygiene behaviors (r = 0.292, p < 0.001). In the regression analysis, health literacy was independently associated with genital hygiene behaviors (β = 0.344, p < 0.001). Receiving genital hygiene education or information (β = 0.142, p = 0.001) and consulting a physician when experiencing a health problem (β = 0.094, p = 0.019) were also independently associated with genital hygiene behaviors. Conclusions: Higher health literacy was associated with more positive genital hygiene behaviors among women recruited online in Türkiye; however, the magnitude of the association was small. Receiving genital hygiene education or information and seeking professional healthcare were also associated with more positive behaviors. These findings support further investigation of health literacy-informed educational approaches, particularly through longitudinal and intervention studies, rather than establishing that such approaches would causally improve genital hygiene behaviors.