A study on knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among urban adolescent girls

Abstract

Background: Adolescent girls often lack knowledge regarding reproductive health including menstruation hygiene which can be due to socio-cultural barriers in which they grow up. Methods: To explore the knowledge, practices and sources of information regarding menstruation and hygiene among adolescent girls in Bangalore, India. Methods: An epidemiologic study was undertaken using cross-sectional study method among 550 school- going adolescent girls aged 13-16 years. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 15. Results: Around 34% participants were aware about menstruation prior to menarche, and mothers were the main source of information among both groups. Overall, 69% of adolescent girls were using sanitary napkins as menstrual absorbent, while 6% were using both cloth and sanitary napkins. Almost half of the rural participants dried the absorbent inside their homes. Conclusions: There is a need to equip the adolescent girls with knowledge regarding safe, hygienic practices to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life.