Menstrual Problems and Health Awareness of Tribal Adolescent School Girls of Odisha- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Some type of menstrual dysfunction is common in adolescent girls. Tribal adolescents are more vulnerable due to malnutrition, ignorance, poverty, sociocultural taboos and poor medical attention, which causes significant morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study based on self-administered, structured questionnaire conducted on 300 adolescent school going girls from a tribal residential school at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. They were asked to complete a pre-designed questionnaire anonymously. Information related to age of menarche, menstrual pattern, menstrual complaints, its impact on daily activities, source of information and reason to seek medical advice were noted. RESULTSThe mean age of the respondent was 13.62 years in this study. Mean age of menarche was 12.07 years with a range being 10 to 16 years. Majority had regular cycle (76.09%) with cycle length of 21 to 35 days (96.97%). The most prevalent menstrual symptom was dysmenorrhoea (52%). 89.9% feel that their knowledge regarding reproductive health is inadequate. Only 13.45% sought advice for their menstrual problems and the source of advice was mostly from friends (66.33%). 11.7% received medical treatment. School absenteeism was noted in 9.76% and restricted sports activities in 44.78%. CONCLUSIONMenstrual problems are a significant source of morbidity and major cause of school absenteeism. Many adolescent girls have inadequate information about menstrual problem and are reluctant to seek medical advice, leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate health education measures are required to prevent this trend.

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“…That is majority of girls have normal duration of cycle. 3 The commonest menstrual abnormality noted in adolescent girls participating in present study is irregular menses (i.e. 28%), Study by Kumari A also has irregular menses as the commonest menstrual abnormality (i.e.…”

“…This means majority of girls have normal duration of blood flow. 3 Majority of girls i.e. 71% have duration of cycle 21-35 days followed by 23% having duration of cycle more than 35 days.…”

“…Study by Jena P et al where 70% girls were menstruating regularly while 30% girls had irregular menses which is comparable with the present study. 3 Detailed menstrual history was asked to all girls participating in the study. Duration of menstruation for 3-6 days was found in 74% girls followed by 11% girls having menstruation for more than 6 days.…”

Menstrual patterns and problems in association with body mass index among adolescent school girls

“…In contrast with other studies, majority of girls with normal BMI and underweight had regular cycle (79.64%, 65.83%), whereas only 33.33% of overweight and obese had their cycles regularly indicating that BMI is an important factor affecting irregular menstrual cycles. [2223]…”

Menstrual characteristics and its association with socio-demographic factors and nutritional status: a study among the urban slum adolescent girls of West Bengal, India

“…This finding is similar to the many findings viz. Deshpande et al (2013); Dars et al (2014); Thapa and Shrestha (2015) and Jena et al (2017). This is may be due to the bearing of certain good amount of monthly expenditure (Median value -Rs.…”