The effect of the Turkish bath on women’s vital signs and oxygen saturation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bathing in the Turkish bath, which is a source of high temperature and moisture, on Turkish women’s vital signs and oxygen saturation. The quantitative study was conducted on 275 women using the Turkish bath. The women’s blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate, body temperature and oxygen saturation were measured before and after using the Turkish bath. The difference between vital signs and oxygen saturation before and after bathing was found to be statistically significant. It was determined that while mean blood pressures and mean oxygen saturation of women participants decreased after bathing, their mean pulse rate, mean breathing rate and mean body temperature increased after bathing. Nurses should advise taking precautions against risks that might develop as a result of using the Turkish bath.