Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU (Jan 2017)
A study of knowledge, attitude, and practices of menstrual health among adolescent school girls in urban field practice area of medical college, Tumkur
Abstract
Introduction: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to females. In India, limited access to products of sanitary hygiene and lack of safe sanitary facilities could increase the likelihood of resorting to unhygienic practices to manage menstruation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2013 to April 2014 by interviewing 452 adolescent school girls using a semi-structured, pretested questionnaire. There were 6 schools and 1 PUC college in the study area. Data were analyzed using Epi Info 3.5.3. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to study the knowledge and attitude toward menstruation among adolescent school girls, (2) to study the practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent school girls, (3) to enumerate the common menstrual morbidities among girls, and (4) to elicit their health-seeking behavior regarding menstrual health. Results: The mean age and standard deviation of girls included in the study were 13.05 years and 0.09472. Only 37.39% girls knew that infection would occur if they do not clean their vagina regularly during menstruation. Only 34.1% girls had the right perception about menstruation as a normal physiological process. Majority of girls used sanitary pads during menstruation. 35.32% of girls said that they were scared when they first attained menarche. Only 11.08% girls said that they had no restrictions during menstruation. Conclusion: The school girls had less than satisfactory knowledge, but good practices regarding menstrual health among those who had attained menarche. Religion, mother's education, and socioeconomic status were factors determining knowledge, attitude, and practices of menstrual health among adolescent school girls.
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