Problems and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Objective: To determine the status of knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent school girls. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: 3 schools in South Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Participants/ Subjects: Adolescent girls in the age group 13-18 years from std IX to XI who had attained menarche. Method: The subjects were administered a pre designed and validated questionnaire on various components of menstrual hygiene practices including a) usage of pads with respect to absorbent used, changing frequency; b) bathing during menstruation c) hygiene of external genitalia including frequency of cleaning, method of cleaning and care of pubic hair; d) access to covered toilets; e)Normal age of menarche; f) Duration of normal flow; g) Normal interval between the menstrual cycles; h) Knowledge about pre menstrual symptoms; i) Source of information regarding menstruation and hygiene practices. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 1522 girls participated in the study. The average level of menstrual hygiene practices was <50% in 1226 (80.6%) subjects, 50-75% in 296 (19.45%) and none practiced >75 % of proper menstrual hygiene. Factor analysis on menstrual hygiene showed highest scores on frequency of changing the pad, bath during menstruation, absorbent used and access to water. Average level of hygiene practices was comparatively more among girls who belonged to higher socio-economic groups (P value = 0.003) and those who had access to a covered toilet (P value = 0.000). Conclusion: There is deficiency in menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent school girls. It is important that there must be intense education reinforcing all the components of menstrual hygiene practices. Strategies such as access to water and sanitation may play a major role in adopting safe practices.