A Community-based Cross-sectional Study on Knowledge and Belief of Menstruation and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescence Girls of Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Introduction: Women undergo menstruation as part of their normal physiological cycle. In Indian society, it is associated with taboos, myths, misbelieves and malpractice. Majority of adolescent girls are unprepared in terms of knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices for managing the menstrual cycle when they enter menarche. A better understanding of the scientific process of menstruation and good menstrual hygiene is very crucial for the health and well-being of adolescent girls. Unsafe practices are associated with unwanted outcomes. Aim: To assess the knowledge, beliefs and sources of information adolescents have about menstruation, along with their management of menstrual hygiene. Materials and Methods: The present school-based crosssectional study was conducted in 2019 in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, among 240 adolescent girls of 14-17 years of age using multistage sampling methods. Data were collected by using pre tested, structured self-administered questionnaire after having informed consent. Results: A total of 98 (40.8%) of girls were aware of menstruation before attaining menarche; 19.58% and 54.17% of girls did not knew about the cause and source of the menstrual bleeding, respectively; 55.42% girls used only sanitary pads whereas 43.33% used both old clothes and sanitary pads as the absorbents. A 46.25% changed absorbent frequently (≥4 times in a day). A 54.17% washed their genitals frequently. The most common method of absorbent disposal was disposal in a dustbin. Mother was the main source of information regarding menstruation. Conclusion: Majority of adolescent girls were not having enough knowledge regarding menstruation and their menstrual practices are inexact. This is requisite for menstrual hygiene programme.

Determinants of menstrual hygiene among adolescent school girls in a rural area of Patna, Bihar, India: A cross-sectional study

“…Similar findings were obtained in other studies as well. [ 3 15 20 ] Less than 40% of girls in the present study washed their genitals frequently, less than two times/day, which is the same (35%) as a study by Parikh et al . [ 20 ] Only one-fifth (21%) of girls used soap and water for cleansing their genital area as against 97.5% in the study by Dasgupta et al .…”

“…Similar findings were observed in studies by Patel et al . [ 15 ] and Ramachandra et al [ 16 ] where the mother was the primary source of this information in 64.5% and 85% of girls, respectively. So, a mother plays a significant role in imparting knowledge and preparing a girl for menstruation, and this should be openly discussed before they reach menarche to prevent related morbidities in the future.…”

“…The results of the present study were congruent to other studies conducted by Patel et al . in Gujarat (80.42%)[ 15 ] and Sarkar et al . in West Bengal (97%).…”

“…According to the present study, sanitary pad was the most frequently used (72%) absorbent during menses, followed by both pads and cloth in 22%, which is comparable to other studies across different parts of India like the study by Sajjan et al . in Karnataka which demonstrated that 78% of girls used only sanitary pads[ 18 ] and another similar study from Gujarat[ 15 ] showed that majority 55% of girls used commercial pads. However, few studies also revealed a relatively lower usage of sanitary pads.…”

A cross sectional study on menstrual hygiene and associated factors among high school girls in rural Mysuru

“…18 The mean age of menarche was noted as 12.3±0. 22,23 In our study, 78.9% of high school girls had 4-6 days of menstrual flow and in the study by Mathiyalagen et al 76.7% of girls had a menstrual flow for 3-5 days. The variations could be due to changes in their diet and other physical and psychological factors.…”