Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: February | Volume: 7 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 294-302
A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls in a Government School in Birbhum District, West Bengal
Sumaiya Khatun1, Sarmila Mallik2, Sunetra Kaviraj Roy3, Shounak Biswas1, Nabanita Bhattacharyya4
1Post Graduate Trainee, 2Associate Professor, 3Assistant Professor, 4Professor and Head,
Department of Community Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital
Corresponding Author: Sumaiya Khatun
ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescent girls constitute about one-fifth of the total female population in the world. They require special attention as it is marked with onset of menarche. Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to all females. It is still considered something unclean or dirty in Indian society. Many girls residing in rural areas are unaware of what actually happens during menstrual cycle.
Objective: This study intended to evaluate the knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene among school-going adolescent girls in a rural area of West Bengal.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in 2018 at a Government Secondary school in West Bengal, among adolescent girls with the help of a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire.
Results: Most (70.5%) of the study participants belonged to the early adolescent age group. The mean age for attaining menarche was 12.5 years. The source of information was from the mothers (47.6%). Majority (77.5%) had incorrect knowledge about the reason for menstruation. Only 5.8% knew about the source of bleeding. 53.6% of the study participants were following unsatisfactory menstrual practices. Most common restriction practiced during menstruation was attending religious occasions (30.4%).There was association seen between age (p=0.000), caste (p=0.012) and their menstrual hygiene practices.
Conclusions: Mothers should break inhibitions and discuss with their daughters regarding menstruation. Health education and menstrual hygienicpractices should be included into the school curriculum. The various myths regarding menstruation should be addressed in an acceptable fashion by parents, teachers and health workers.
Keywords: Menstrual hygiene, Knowledge, Practices, Adolescent girls, School, Rural, West Bengal
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