Knowledge and Self-Care Behaviors During Menstruation Among Adolescent Females

Abstract

Background: Menstruation is a significant milestone in adolescent development, often accompanied by stress, tension, and embarrassment. Proper knowledge about menstruation and hygienic menstrual practices are crucial for the health and well-being of adolescent females. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the knowledge of adolescent females about menstruation and their self-care behaviors during menstruation in Al Karak Governorate, Jordan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 school-aged adolescent females at three government girls’ schools in Al-Karak. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 26 software, employing an independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: In this study, a total of 100 school-aged adolescent female students from three government girls’ schools in Al-Karak governorate participated, with a mean age of 15.83 ± 1.43, ranging from 11 to 17 years old. The vast majority of the sample knew that menstruation occurs due to hormonal changes (76%) and that it lasts for 2 - 7 days (77%). Additionally, 94% of participants correctly identified the true meaning of hygiene during menstruation. Nearly all participants (98.5%) washed their genitals during their period. Conclusions: Adolescent schoolgirls in Al Karak City, Jordan, have a good level of knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management and demonstrate satisfactory to fair levels of hygienic practices during menstruation.