Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the rural field practice area of medical college in Mandya

Abstract

Background: Menstrual Hygiene is an issue that every girl and woman has to deal with once she enters adolescence. Adolescence in girls signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Menstruation is a biological event imbued with social, cultural and personal significance. Hence this study was done with the objective to assess the menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in rural Mandya district. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out among adolescent girls in schools coming under Bellur field practice area. A total of 257 adolescent girls formed the sample size. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used for collection of data. Data was entered in MS EXCEL and was analyzed, using percentages and chi square test. Results: Among 257 adolescent girls, Government school children constituted 44.4% and private school children of 55.6%. 85.6% of them had heard about menstrual hygiene. 72.8 % were using sanitary pads during menstruation. 36.2% were following burial method to dispose sanitary pads. 48.5% of them had good practice scores, 44.5% had fair scores and 7.0 % poor scores. Conclusion: Menstrual hygiene practices among participants were not satisfactory even though knowledge was good. Private school children were performing well when compared to government school children.