Knowledge and awareness regarding menstruation and HIV/AIDS among schoolgoing adolescent girls

Abstract

Introduction:Menstruation in our country is associated with various myths and restrictions leading to lack of awareness among adolescent girls. Insufficient menstrual hygiene practices are the cause of stress associated with menstruation and reproductive tract infections. Sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS are not openly discussed in our society making adolescents vulnerable to them.Aim:To assess the knowledge of school going adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene and HIV/AIDS.Materials and Methods:Girls studying in class 8th-12th standard and who have attained menarche were included in the study. A predesigned questionnaire, which consisted of questions related to menstrual awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS was used for data collection. Data was analysed using SPSS software and results were interpreted into percentages.Results:282 girls took part in the study. Mean age of girls was 14.70 ± 1.5 years. Median age of girls was 15 years. Knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene and HIV/AIDS was found to be only satisfactory leaving a scope of improvement. Mother was the main source of information regarding both menstruation and HIV/AIDS.Conclusion:A comprehensive health education programme involving mothers is required to remove various misconceptions and taboos associated with menstruation and make it a pleasant experience for adolescent girls. Information, education and awareness programmes need to be strengthened to spread awareness regarding HIV/AIDS.

Knowledge about menstrual hygiene, sexual health, and contraception in educated late adolescent age girls

“…The age group in the present population was from 14 to 18 years, similar to the study done by Jain et al [ 4 ] In another study from central India, 85% of girls were from 14 to 15 years age group. [ 5 ] In the present study, 18% of fathers and 20% of mothers are illiterate similar to the study done by Jain et al where 20% of parents were illiterate.…”

“…In our study, 48% of study population did not know about puberty, whereas 64% of girls did not have knowledge about menstruation before menarche in the study done by Alam et al in Bangladesh. [ 6 ] Menstruation was considered normal physiological change by 78% of girls in our study, 50% of the adolescent girls felt the same in the study done by Jain et al [ 4 ] and also, as seen previously in a meta-analysis; similarly, in some other studies also, approximately 85% of girls were of the same opinion. [ 5 7 8 ] However, in one study, this perception was present only among 18% of girls.…”

Awareness and attitude towards reproductive and sexual health rights and practices among college students: An empirical study

“…Furthermore, the study has pointed out that students are ill-informed of the basic biology of the process of menstruation and other aspects of sexual health and diseases. This trend has been corroborated by similar research studies (10)(11)(12)(13) . Such uniform findings indicate a strong need of adolescent health programmes or inclusion of sex education in school and college curriculum.…”

Menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls – A study from urban slum area

“…67.55% girls were between 14 and 16 years. [10] In our study, a majority of 75% of the girls were Hindus, whereas in a study by Omidvar and Begum 90.2% girls were Hindus. [11] The type of the family highly influenced the status of hygiene.…”