Menstruation: Is a Normal Phenomenon Perceived Normally in Early Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Most Indian women believe that menstruation contaminates the body and makes it unholy. With this background, present study was proposed. Objectives: 1. To assess the effects of menstruation on routine activities in early adolescent girl students. • To describe the perceptions regarding menstruation in early adolescent girl students. Methods: Present study was a cross sectional study carried out in slum and non-slum schools of a Sholapur city. Total study duration was 6. Total 172 school going adolescent girls were taken from slum and non-slum school each. Information regarding awareness, perceptions during menstruation was taken. Results: Average correct score for perceptions regarding menstruation was 5.26 out of 8. 81.96% students used sanitary pads during their menstrual periods followed by 28 students used cotton cloth. 127 students missed playing sport activities while 123 missed normal daily activities. 35 students felt that they were a failure, during menstrual periods. Conclusions: There are lacunae in knowledge and perception of girls regarding menstruation. The results reinforce need to encourage safe practices among the adolescent girls and bring them out of misconceptions, myths regarding menstruation. Menstruation affects self-esteem of girls.

Keywords

• Mentruation
• Adolescent
• Perception
• Periods
• self-esteem