MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT AMONG THE RURAL ADOLESCENTS OF RANCHI, JHARKHAND– A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Dr Kashmira Jilani; Prof (Dr) Vidyasagar; Dr Chandramani Kumar

Volume : IX, Issue : II, February - 2020

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT AMONG THE RURAL ADOLESCENTS OF RANCHI, JHARKHAND– A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Dr Kashmira Jilani, Prof Dr Vidyasagar, Dr Chandramani Kumar

Abstract :

Background– Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) has become a globally recognized public health topic. The taboos surrounding this issue in the society prevents girls and women from articulating their needs and the problems of poor menstrual hygiene management have been largely ignored or misunderstood. Aims and Objectives– This study aims to assess the status of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among the study subjects. Methods– Community based cross sectional study. Late adolescent girls (15–19 yrs) constituted the study population. Sample size calculated was 400. The sampling technique used in this study was a multi stage random sampling. Results– Maximum participants used cloth 183 (46.2%) during menses, while 151 (38.1%) used both cloth as well as sanitary pads. Only 62 (15.7%) used only sanitary napkins. Majority 309 (92.5%) re–used the cloth. Among them 258 (83.5%) washed the cloth with soap and water while only 90 (29.1%) were able to dry the cloth in the sunlight. Maximum number of the participants disposed the absorbents in the trash 206 (52%). Conclusion– MHM is not well observed among the rural adolescents.