Attitude of Adolescent Girls Towards Menstrual Discomforts and Role of Parents

Abstract

Puberty is a developmental stage characterised by physical and psychological changes that necessitate effective adaptive measures. The study aims to understand the actual discomforts experienced by adolescent girls and the role of parents in coping with these. Objectives: To study pubertal changes and discomforts faced by girls, the attitudes toward puberty, hygienic and nutritional practices and the role of parents during puberty. Methods: A descriptive research was conducted on 500 adolescent girls (12-18 years). A self-constructed tool, named ‘Inventory on menstrual discomforts attitudes' was used. Results: It has also been found that adolescent females have physical and psychological issues as well as discomfort prior to and during menstruation. A sizable proportion of girls expressed unfavorable attitudes concerning menstruation Although for many respondents parents had supportive role but it has noticed that main source of knowledge regarding menstruation was mother in comparision to fathers.