Knowledge and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene by Adolescent Girls in Rural Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Imparting right knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene to adolescent girls is very important to protect them from various reproductive tract infections and reproductive health. This cross sectional study was conducted in adolescent girls studying in Government School (GS) (n=50) and Private School (PS) (n=50) school (N=100) to know about the knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls in Barugur, Tamil Nadu before and after an education program. Among the selected girls, 14 to 15 years old were 55 per cent. Hindus were more than 90 percent. Nearly 58 per cent of PS and 40 per cent of GS belonged to Class III of Prasad's economic classification. PS had significantly more knowledge about menstrual hygiene and better practice before attending the education program and there was a significant improvement (P>0.05) in the knowledge and practice of GS and PS after the program. Periodical conduct of many such education programs is essential for practice of proper menstrual hygiene by rural adolescent girls.