Menstrual hygiene awareness and practices among school going girls and related facilities available in government schools of rural Rohtak Haryana

Dr B.M. Vashisht; Dr Anvesha; Dr Pratibha

Volume : IX, Issue : III, March - 2020

Menstrual hygiene awareness and practices among school going girls and related facilities available in government schools of rural Rohtak Haryana

Dr B. M. Vashisht, Dr Anvesha, Dr Pratibha

Abstract :

Introduction: 335 million girls in 2016 went to primary and secondary schools without water and soap available for washing their hands when changing sanitary pads or clothes. In Swachh Bharat Swachh Vidyalaya Mission, special attention and guidelines have been given to improve menstrual hygiene among girls. Basic sanitation facilities available in schools can help girls manage menstrual hygiene thus helping reduce school absenteeism. Present study was planned to see the status of menstrual hygiene awareness and practices among school going girls and the facilities provided by the schools for improving menstrual hygiene. Material & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 116 girls of class 6th to 12th, who attained their menarche from 11 government schools of block Lakhan Majra, district Rohtak, Haryana. Data were analyzed and results were presented in form of proportion and percentages. Results: Gender segregated toilet was available in all schools. 6 (54.5%) schools were not having water supply in pad changing area. Pad disposal facility was not present in 2 (18.1%) schools. 9 (81.9 %) schools were organizing menstruation preparedness class at regular intervals. 42.2% of the students reported that they were unaware of menstruation before their menarche. 78 (67.2%) girls were missing schools during menstruation. Conclusion: Awareness and facility regarding menstruation hygiene were inadequate. School teachers can get training for providing menstrual hygiene education. Schools should take help from local health facilities for providing menstrual hygiene education, identification of girls with menstrual problems & their management.