A community based study on knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls in rural south india

Background: Adolescence is a transitional phase of life linking childhood to adulthood during which major physical, psychological and social changes occur. The objective of the study was to find out the knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene and practices during menstruation among adolescent girls

Methods: A community based cross sectional study in Nandivargam sub centre. The study included all girls in the mid and late adolescent period i.e., age group 14-19 years. We used simple random sampling technique to select 20 girls from 12 villages, so as to compensate the non response. An interview schedule was prepared for data collection. The data was entered in MS excel and analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21.0 version (SPSS). Data was expressed in proportions and percentage.

Results: A total of 240 girls were involved and the mean age was 17± 1.6 years. The knowledge about menstruation was 208 (86.6%) agreed as natural phenomenon, 126 (52.5%) and 118 (49.1%) said anemia and malnutrition leads to delayed attainment. Majority 141 (58.7%) responded breast enlargement as the primary change and 68 (28.3%) as voice change 54 (22.5%) as physical growth and 58 (24.1%) as changes in the hair. More than one fourth said that a hormonal change was the cause of menstruation. More than 50% responded painful periods as the problem during menstruation. Almost half 116 (48.3%) of the people sought no treatment during menstruation and more than half 129 (53.7%) were used sanitary pads and majority 224 (93.3%) of them were throwing outside.

Conclusion: There is a need to equip the adolescent girls with knowledge regarding safe, hygienic practices to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life. Menstrual hygiene is a vital aspect of health education for all adolescent girls as it related with health consequences.