IJCM_405A: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Regarding Menstrual Hygiene Among Students Of A Government School, Thrissur, Kerala

Abstract

Background: Menstrual hygiene practices are consequently a significant public health issue. However, menstrual practices are still tainted by taboos and other sociocultural constraints, which adversely affect health since adolescent females are unaware of the scientific facts regarding menstrual hygiene practices. Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude, practice regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent school girls in a government higher secondary school, Thrissur, Kerala Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among students of 8th standard to 12th standard in a government higher secondary school Thrissur. The data was collected after obtaining permission from head of the institution and verbal consent from the participants. Results: The study was conducted among 237 adolescent girls studying from 8th to 12th standard in a government school in Thrissur. Out of the total study participants 96 % have high knowledge about menstrual hygiene and the rest have moderate knowledge. 77.6% students use sanitary pads as adsorbing material, 15.6 % use cloth and only 6.8 % use menstrual cup. But 62 % have the opinion that menstrual cup is better than pads. 49% of the students believe that menstrual blood is impure and 50 % of students believe that normal routine activities cannot be done during menstruation. Most of the participants (92 %) adopt burning as the method of disposal while 4.2 % were practicing flushing of the pads. 61.2 % students liked to share doubt with mother and 30 % like to share with friends. Conclusion: Majority of the students have good knowledge about menstrual hygiene, but the scientific knowledge about menstruation is lacking behind.