A study to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls of selected school of District Ambala, Haryana

Abstract

: Menarche, among Adolescence girls, signifies the adaptation to womanhood as it is associated with pubertal changes and beginning of the capacity to reproduce. This is a period of gonadal development and growth spurt. Menstrual hygiene is crucial to healthy reproductive system and in return to good physical health and wellbeing. Therefore, enhanced awareness regarding menstruation and related hygiene, right from adolescence may escalate safe practices that are helpful in alleviating the distress of millions of women.: To assess the knowledge and practices related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls of selected schools of District Ambala, HaryanaA descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in selected schools of Mullana and Barara District Ambala, Haryana. Total enumeration sampling technique was used to enroll 192 adolescent girls from class 9 to class 12 from selected schools after obtaining written informed consent from parents and verbal consent from girls. Ethical clearance was obtained from Institute Ethics committee. Doubts of the participants were cleared after data collection.Among 192 girls, nearly half girls were aware of menstrual hygiene and reported use of sanitary nepkins and 40.1% girls were aware of the symptoms of poor menstrual hygiene. . There is a need to implement an education program for adolescent girls on menstruation and menstrual hygiene to ensure healthy menstrual practices.