Effect of Health Education Program on Knowledge and Practices about Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescents Girls at Orphanage Home

Abstract

Background: Menstruation is a natural phenomenon among matured females who experience shedding of blood for 1-7 days every month from the age of maturity until menopause. On the other hand, hygienerelated practices during menstruation are of considerable importance for reproductive health, poor practices increase vulnerability to reproductive tract Infections. Aim: The present study aimed to improve level of knowledge and practices about menstrual hygiene among adolescents girls at Orphanage home. Methodology: Research design: A quasi-experimental design was used to met aim of the study. Setting: The study was conducted at seven Orphanage homes in Damietta City. Sample: The total sample was 234 adolescents girls, aged <14 - ≥16 years. They were assigned to either study and control groups. The study data were collected by a structure interview questionnaire sheet in three months . Results: The study revealed that there were highly statistically significant differences in total knowledge and practice score of the studied sample after implementation of educational program. Conclusion: The present study concluded that adolescents lacked appropriate knowledge and practices about menstruation in the pre- program phase. After implementation of the program considerable improvements were noticed in adolescents girls' knowledge and practice . Therefore the educational program was successful in attaining its aims of positively changing the knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene.