Awareness and practices about menstrual hygiene and its impact among migrant adolescent girls of Dera: a community based cross-sectional study from Nashik (Maharashtra)

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Onset of menstruation is one of the most important changes occurring during adolescence. In various parts of India, there are several cultural traditions, myths and misconceptions related to menstruation, which make them vulnerable to genital tract infections. There is very little awareness about menstruation among girls when they first experience it. Social prohibitions and negative attitude of parents in discussing the related issues openly has blocked the access of adolescent girls to right kind of information especially among migrant adolescent girls. Women having better knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene and safe practices are less vulnerable to Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) and its consequences. Hence this study was conducted with objective to assess awareness and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent in migrant population. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Study area and study population: This cross-sectional community based study was conducted among migrant adolescent girls residing in (Dera) the Corporation area of Nashik (Maharashtra). Duration of study: The study was carried out for 2 months. Purposive sampling method was adopted. We carried out in-depth interviews among such purposively selected adolescent girls till redundancy in responses started creeping up. A written informed consent was taken from the study subject’s. A semi-structured schedule with open ended questions was used for data collection process. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Majority of the study participants were not aware (75%) about menarche while for sanitary protection old traditional method cloths were used. Knowledge of menarche was mostly (50%) provided by friends followed by mother (35%). </p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In the present study, we found that the myths and misconceptions about menstrual practices are still continued in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century. There is a need to focus on such migrant population for their better health.