BACKGROUND Some type of menstrual dysfunction is common in adolescent girls. Tribal adolescents are more vulnerable due to malnutrition, ignorance, poverty, sociocultural taboos and poor medical attention, which causes significant morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study based on self-administered, structured questionnaire conducted on 300 adolescent school going girls from a tribal residential school at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. They were asked to complete a pre-designed questionnaire anonymously. Information related to age of menarche, menstrual pattern, menstrual complaints, its impact on daily activities, source of information and reason to seek medical advice were noted. RESULTSThe mean age of the respondent was 13.62 years in this study. Mean age of menarche was 12.07 years with a range being 10 to 16 years. Majority had regular cycle (76.09%) with cycle length of 21 to 35 days (96.97%). The most prevalent menstrual symptom was dysmenorrhoea (52%). 89.9% feel that their knowledge regarding reproductive health is inadequate. Only 13.45% sought advice for their menstrual problems and the source of advice was mostly from friends (66.33%). 11.7% received medical treatment. School absenteeism was noted in 9.76% and restricted sports activities in 44.78%. CONCLUSIONMenstrual problems are a significant source of morbidity and major cause of school absenteeism. Many adolescent girls have inadequate information about menstrual problem and are reluctant to seek medical advice, leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate health education measures are required to prevent this trend.

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