A study to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices related to menstrual cycle and management of menstrual hygiene among school-going adolescent girls in a rural area of South India

Author(s):  
Pooja Chauhan ◽  
Riyaz Shaik ◽  
Anusha B ◽  
Madhusudan Sotala
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-264
Author(s):  
D Ranabhat ◽  
S Nepal ◽  
B. Regmi

Menstruation is a part of female reproductive cycle that starts when girls become sexually mature at the time of puberty. This study sought to assess the menstrual hygiene practice and school absenteeism among the rural school going adolescent girls. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among 321 female high school students of 4 selected government schools of Kalikot a rural district of Nepal. It was found that majority of student’s menstrual hygiene practice was poor i.e. 86.9%. Majority of respondents (96 %) used clean cloth during their menstruation cycle, whereas only 4% of respondents used sanitary pad. Almost every adolescent girl i.e. 98.8 % practiced any cultural restriction. Nearly 1 in 4 respondents (22.1%) did not attend school during their last menstruation and more than 1 in 10 adolescent girls felt that their academic performance was degraded after menarche. Adolescent girls of 10-14 age group were three time more likely to have poor practice than those who were between 15-19 years. Adolescent girls from nuclear families are 1.9 times more likely to be absent from school during the menstrual cycle in comparison to girls from joint families. The study revealed that among the adolescent girls of the study area, the overall menstrual hygiene practice was found to be poor and the various beliefs were found to be inappropriate and school absenteeism was also prevalent during menstrual cycle.


Author(s):  
Zainab Khan ◽  
Siraj Ahmad ◽  
Jai Vir Singh ◽  
Akhilesh Dutta Dwivedi

Background: There is inadequate information on menstrual hygiene management practices and socio-cultural restrictions among adolescent girls in developing countries. The objective of the present study was to assess the menstrual hygiene management practices and associated socio-cultural restrictions among adolescent school girls.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescent school girls 10 to 19 years of age, who had attained menarche, in a rural area of district Barabanki. Total 640 adolescent girls were included in the study, and information was recorded on a predesigned and pretested interview schedule. Relevant statistical analysis was done and significant associations were found.Results: 60.5% of the girls were using sanitary pads, and 71.4% took bath during their periods. 41.3% of the girls used to change pads during schools. Unsatisfactory menstrual hygiene management practices were significantly high among girls who were from lower socioeconomic class (p<0.001) and had illiterate mothers (p<0.001). 82.8% of the girls faced religious restriction.Conclusions: Significant associations were found between menstrual hygiene management practices of adolescent school girls with their mother’s education level and socio economic status. A proper menstrual hygiene management practice is very important for every young girl to lead a healthy life and should be achieved at the beginning of their menarche by enhanced information education and communication (IEC) programmes.


Author(s):  
NULAKATHATI VANI ◽  
NISHADHAM SRAVANI ◽  
THIPPESWAMY RAMYA ◽  
MOHANRAJ RATHINAVELU ◽  
MEKALA JYOTHI SUCHITRA

Objective: The purpose of the six months observational study is to evaluate the gynaecological problems of the adolescent girls, attending the gynaecological outpatient department of a secondary care referral healthcare facility in rural south India. Methods: After ethical clearance, adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 y having gynaecological problems, who had experienced at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, and who showed willingness towards study were included; and adolescent girls in 10-19 y age group having a pregnancy and its complications were excluded. Results: Out of 161 adolescent girls, 46.01% belong to late adolescence with more distribution of gynaecological problems. The gynaecological problems majorly observed were menstrual disorder 59.63%, abdominal pain (11.18%), white discharge per vagina (9.94%), and 8.07% of heavy menstrual bleeding. The menstrual disorder complained with amenorrhea 40.63%, polymenorrhea 18.75%, and menorrhagia 16.67%. In our study, 26.09% and 32.3% of adolescent girls were anaemic and underweight, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showcased evidently that young adolescent girls are at higher risk of both gynaecological problems and menses disorders in the rural setting; for whom more amount of awareness to be parented and education of menstrual hygiene and hemodynamic effects has to be culminated through health education, for a future healthier nation.


Author(s):  
Anubhuti Yadav ◽  
Deepa L. Masand

Background: Total adolescent world population is 16%.  Adolescents (10-19 years) constitute 21.3% i.e. nearly 1/5th of total population of India. 19% of the total population-faces a series of serious challenges not only affecting their growth and development but also their livelihood as adults. The objective of the current study was to observe the menstrual disorders among adolescent females and to observe the demographic profile and assess hygiene practices during menstruation and grade of anemia due to menstrual morbidity.  Methods: A random selection of adolescent’s females were done from gynaecology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in rural area. Study done on 180 adolescent girls from January 01, 2016 to June 31st, 2017, it is a descriptive type of observational study. Counseling done of adolescent females on menstrual hygiene and nutrition. Results: Most common menstrual morbidity seen in this study is dysmenorrhea (41.66%) followed by heavy menstrual bleeding i.e 25% and irregular menstrual bleeding (13.33%) subsequently. All these problems are associated with their practices used during menstruation. Poor menstrual hygiene was seen associated with 30 to 35% of abdominal cramps and mood swings, heavy menstrual bleeding and nutritional deficiency leads to moderate anemia (7 to10 gm%) in 83%.Conclusions: Due to unhygienic practices and lack of education and awareness about hygiene many of the girls were suffering from reproductive tract infections and poor nutrition leads to anemia. So, we all need to educate them about hygiene and spread awareness about the various services provided by the government like supplying of sanitary napkins to overcome infections.


Author(s):  
Miti Dwijen Bhatt ◽  
Deepali Mohan Kadam

Background: Being a developing country, India is faced with many health problems which can be averted by education and implementation of basic guidelines. Menstrual hygiene is one such topics which is rarely brought to attention but forms an integral part of a women’s life. This topic has been neglected not only in rural areas but in the poor socioeconomic corners of metropolitan cities. This ignorance has taken a great toll on the quality of life of women. Poor hygiene predisposes them to reproductive tract infections which may lead to increased incidence of infertility and mortality. Misconceptions regarding this have also prevented women to seek out professional help. Keeping this in mind the study was undertaken to spread awareness and eliminate the taboo this topic is regarded with.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted amongst adolescent girls in a private school located in Angaon village, Bhiwandi Taluka, Mumbai. A self-administered questionnaire was given to the adolescent girls to assess their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding menstrual cycle. Percentages were used for statistical analysis.Results: 83 girls (96.51%) were aware of menstrual cycle. 49 (56.98%) girls perceived that menstrual blood is dirty. 72 (83.72%) knew that it is a physiological process. 85 (98.84%) were also aware about menstrual hygiene. 85 (98.4%) felt that girls should be addressed regarding menstrual cycle, hygiene before achieving menarche. 50 (58.14%) girls followed restrictions during menstruation.Conclusions: The findings of the present study emphasize the need to address physiology about menstrual cycle as well as the myths and misconceptions associated with it.


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