A Community-based Cross-sectional Study on Knowledge and Belief of Menstruation and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescence Girls of Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research

卷:16

Divyangkumar Narottambhai Patel¹  Kavya Baradia²  Jinal Bhajiwala²  Mit Acharya²  Sarjil Amin²  Abhinav Kumar² 

[1] Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. N.D. Desai Faculty of Medical Science and Research, Nadiad, Gujarat, India.;

[2] Intern, Department of Community Medicine, Smt. B. K. Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.;

关键词: absorbent;    hygiene practices;    restrictions;    sanitary napkin;    school girls;   

DOI  :  10.7860/JCDR/2022/53426.15952

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Women undergo menstruation as part of theirnormal physiological cycle. In Indian society, it is associatedwith taboos, myths, misbelieves and malpractice. Majority ofadolescent girls are unprepared in terms of knowledge, attitudeand hygienic practices for managing the menstrual cycle whenthey enter menarche. A better understanding of the scientificprocess of menstruation and good menstrual hygiene is verycrucial for the health and well-being of adolescent girls. Unsafepractices are associated with unwanted outcomes.Aim: To assess the knowledge, beliefs and sources of informationadolescents have about menstruation, along with their managementof menstrual hygiene.Materials and Methods: The present community-based crosssectional study was conducted among the adolescent schoolgoing girls of rural and urban areas in 2019 in Vadodara, Gujarat,India, among 240 adolescent girls of 14-17 years of age usingmultistage sampling methods. Data were collected by using pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire after havinginformed consent. Descriptive statistics was applied for analysisand results were presented into table and graph.Results: A total of 98 (40.8%) girls were aware of menstruationbefore attaining menarche. Out of total 240, 26(10.83%) did notknew the cause of menstruation and 11 (4.58%) were not awareabout the organ from where menstrual bleeding occurs. Total55.42% girls used only sanitary pads whereas 43.33% usedboth old clothes and sanitary pads as the absorbents. A 46.25%changed absorbent frequently (≥4 times in a day). A 54.17%washed their genitals frequently. The most common method ofabsorbent disposal was disposal in a dustbin. Mother was themain source of information regarding menstruation.Conclusion: Majority of adolescent girls were not having enoughknowledge regarding menstruation and their menstrual practicesare inexact. This is requisite for menstrual hygiene programme.

【 授权许可】

Unknown