Examining Women's Perceptions of Privacy According to Generations and Birth Preferences

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine women's perceptions of privacy according to generations and birth preferences. Method: The study was conducted cross-sectionally between April and July 2024 with women who applied to the gynecology outpatient clinic in a public hospital in Canakkale province. The population of the study consisted of women who applied to gynecology outpatient clinics between these dates, and the sample consisted of 300 women (n= 100 for each generation) in BP (Baby Boomer), X and Y generations. The data of the study were collected by face-to-face interview method with "Personal Information Form and Gynecology and Obstetrics Bodily Privacy Scale (GOBPS)". Results: In the study, it was determined that the total score of the BP generation women on the GOBPS was 4.76±0.70, the X generation was 4.28±0.74, the Y generation was 4.18±0.72, and the BP generation women had a higher perception of body privacy. In addition, the mean GOBPS total scores of women in BP, X and Y generations who had cesarean section were higher than those who had normal vaginal delivery, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It has been concluded that there are intergenerational differences in women's body privacy perceptions, women's body privacy perceptions decrease over time, women's perceptions of privacy differ between generations according to their birth style preferences, and women who have had a cesarean section have higher body privacy perceptions.