Knowledge and Practice Gap for Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent School Girls of Tribal District of Maharashtra, India: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Hygiene-related practices of adolescents during menstruation are of importance, as poor hygiene might increase vulnerability to reproductive tract infections (RTI). Therefore, increased knowledge about menstruation right from childhood may escalate safe practices and may help in mitigating the suffering of women. Aims and Objectives: (1) To assess the knowledge and practices about menstrual hygiene among school going adolescent girls. (2) To evaluate health seeking behaviour among the study subjects. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study done in three randomly selected Government High Schools in tribal District Palghar from Jan-Feb 2018. A pre-designed, pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used. Data were compiled in an Excel sheet and were analysed by using EPI info statistical software (version2.3.1). Results: A total of 277 girls were interviewed, the mean age was 14 years. Majority of girls were aware about menstruation prior to the attainment of menarche. Mothers were first informant in about 69.6% girls. But correct reason and source of bleeding was not known to most of respondents. Overall 63.8% adolescent girls were using sanitary napkins as menstrual absorbent while 36.1%were using old used cloth and 13.7%were using both. Conclusion: There is need to educate the girls about menstruation, its importance and hygiene maintenance so as to enable them to have healthy and productive life in future.