Abstract
Objective: To study the various beliefs and problems regarding menstruation among adolescent girls living in rural border areas.
 Design- Prospective study.
 Setting- Pediatric outpatient clinic.
 Materials and methods- About 200 adolescent girls (11-19 years) living in rural border areas were enrolled for the study. These girls were asked about menarche, duration of the cycle, amount of blood loss and the various menstrual problems. They were also asked about the various beliefs and myths regarding menstruation. The girls having any illness affecting the menstrual cycle or those suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders were excluded from this study.
 Results- About 51% of the study population was in the age group 17-18 years. About 43.5% of girls attained menarche at the age of 10-12 years. About 51% of girls did not know about menstruation before menarche. Abdominal pain was the most common side effect seen in 41% of girls during menstruation. About 61% of girls considered themselves unclean during menstruation. Twenty percent avoided schools, 20% avoided kitchen, 12% avoided temples while 10% stayed away from friends/ relatives. Only 33% of girls knew that menstruation stops temporarily after becoming pregnant. Twenty-two percent girls were using sanitary napkins while the rest used different types of clothes during the menstrual cycle.
 Conclusion- There is a dire need to educate girls regarding menstruation before menarche in the rural border areas. Every mother should discuss in a friendly way regarding various aspects of menstruation.
Highlights
Adolescence is the stage of development of transition that is a bridge between childhood and adulthood
About 200 adolescent girls aged 11-18 years from rural border areas attending the Pediatric clinic were enrolled in this study
The good menstrual hygiene practices are essential during menstruation which helps in the prevention of reproductive tract infections as well as the gynaecological morbidity
Summary
Adolescence is the stage of development of transition that is a bridge between childhood and adulthood This is a phase with physical, psychological, social and cultural dimensions, alleged differentially by different cultures. Behavioural problems during this period produce a longlasting effect on individual and public health in various ways. Menstruation or periods is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as a part of a woman’s monthly cycle. There is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of uterus through the vagina. It usually begins at 12-15 year of age which is known as menarche. The bleeding normally persists around 3-7 days [2]
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