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Volume 10, Issue 2 (July- December) 2021

Original Articles

To study the level of knowledge and belief in menstruation and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls: A community-based cross-sectional study
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Dr. Sudhir, Dr. Bandana Kumari, Dr. Ravindra Prasad

Background: Menstruation is a biologically inherent physiological process that occurs in teenage girls and women who have not yet reached menopause. To study the level of knowledge and behaviours about menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls: Community-based cross-sectional research. Material and methods: The present research, done by the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, focused on a community-based cross-sectional analysis. The study specifically targeted teenage females who were attending school. A total of 110 school-going adolescent girls, namely in the 8th and 9th grades, were chosen to participate in the research. A pre-designed, pretested, and structured questionnaire was used in the research. The data gathering method included conducting personal interviews with the research participants. Results: The first response to the first occurrence of menstruation exhibited a range of emotions. Among the participants, 42 females (38.18%) reported feeling afraid, 21 (19.09%) reacted as if it were a normal occurrence, 19 (17.27%) had pain, 15 (13.64%) felt aggravation or disgust, and 13 (11.82%) had various other reactions. During menstruation, 47.27% of the girls refrained from participating in religious events, 15.45% refrained from engaging in physical activity or playing, 6.36% refrained from attending school, 14.55% refrained from attending family activities, 10.91% had no limitations, 3.64% refrained from doing home labour, and 1.82% refrained from observing fasting. Regarding menstrual hygiene habits, 40.91% of the girls used sanitary napkins, 24.55% used fresh cloths, 18.18% reused old cloths, and 16.36% rotated between these approaches. Regarding the washing of external genitals, 7 girls (6.36%) did not engage in any cleaning, 15 (13.64%) cleaned less than twice daily, 34 (30.91%) cleaned more than twice daily, and 54 (49.09%) cleaned according to their convenience and privacy. In terms of the cleaning procedure, 45 females (40.91%) used soap and water, 48 (43.64%) alone used water, 9 (8.18%) employed a piece of paper, and 8 (7.27%) opted for a piece of cloth. Conclusion: It might be inferred that teenage females have little understanding of menstruation and that their cleanliness habits are inadequate. Ensuring menstrual hygiene is a crucial issue that requires attention. Several variables are recognised to influence menstruation behaviours. It is crucial to be aware of the need for knowledge on maintaining good menstruation habits. Developing a system to promote and facilitate the adoption of good menstruation habits is crucial. It is advisable to encourage regular gynaecological examinations for all school-age females. Appropriate corrective steps should be implemented thereafter.

 
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