Study of Menstrual Hygiene of School Going Adolescent Girls in Gurgaon, Haryana

Vijay Kumar Singhal; Shakraja; Balbir Singh Deswal; Md. Tanwir Akhtar

Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Study of Menstrual Hygiene of School Going Adolescent Girls in Gurgaon, Haryana

Vijay Kumar Singhal, Shakraja, Balbir Singh Deswal, Md. Tanwir Akhtar

Abstract :

  Background: Adolescent girls comprises about 20% of total population, constitute a vulnerable group in India. Although a natural process, menstruation is linked with several misconceptions and practices. There is a substantial lacuna in the knowledge about menstruation among adolescent girls. Poor personal hygiene and unsafe sanitary conditions may results in gynecological problems and high prevalence of reported cases of infections among adolescent girls. Objective: To assess the knowledge, perception, and the practices of menstrual hygiene among rural and urban school going adolescent girls. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among adolescent school girls studying in classes 6th to 12th taken by random sampling in six schools using predesigned & pretested schedule. Results: Mean age of menarche was found to be 13.6 years (SD 1.72). On the average a girl used 2.4 pads daily (SD 1.25) during menstruation.44.4% of girls were aware before about the menstruation before menarche. Mother was main educator (57.5%) to their daughter about menarche. Majority of girls (56.2%) considered it as normal physiological problems. Most of the girls (87%) used pad during menses and disposed them by throwing away. Among cloth users main reason was financial constrains but they are desirous of using sanitary pad. Social restriction was observed during menses by a majority of girls (79.4%) mainly avoid worship. Pain abdomen was complained by 40.2% but 45.5 % had no problem. 85 % did not take any treatment for these problems. Conclusion: Poor menstrual hygiene and unsafe sanitary conditions may results in gynecological problems and high prevalence of reported cases of infections among adolescent girls. Good hygienic practices such as the use of sanitary pads and adequate washing of the genital area are essential during menstruation.