European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

KNOWLEDGE REGARDING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS AT A SELECTED HIGH SCHOOL AT GAZIPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Tania Akter*, Shahanaz Parvin, Baby Chakraborty and Kollyani Murmu

ABSTRACT

Background: Menstruation is unique to females and is part of the female reproductive cycle that starts at puberty. Even though menstruation is a natural process, it is linked with several misconceptions and malpractices which may result in adverse health outcomes. Poor hygiene during menstruation has been associated with serious ill- health, including reproductive tract and urinary tract infections. Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study carried out in a selected school at Sreepur upazilla, Gazipur District. A total of 106 purposively selected participants took part in the study. The study was conducted from January 2018 to January 2019. Data were collected by face-to-face interview with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: From the total respondents, 76.4% were read in class nine and rest 23.6% respondents were read in class eight. 16.0% had Superstition about menstruation and 85.8% respondents missed school during menstruation. Here, 79.2% used sanitary pad during menstruation, only 3.8% respondents Changed Pad/cloth at 4 hour interval, 95.7% washed cloth with soap, 17.4% respondents Dried cloth by sun light, 90.6% respondents took daily bath during menstruation, 8.5% had Vaginal itching during menstruation, 96.2% knew Necessity to maintain hygiene during menstruation and 69.8% took more food and plenty of water during menstruation. Conclusion: In order to realize girls’ empower enhance gender equality; emphasis should be given for the need of girls’ preparedness for menarche and sanitary disposal facilities at school and at a community level. Increasing mother’s awareness about menstruation and its hygienic management and encouraging daughter-mother communication is justified based on the findings of this study. Including menstruation management in elementary school education could help involvement of boys too.

Keywords: Menstruation, Menstrual cycle, Menarche, Menstrual hygiene, Adolescent girls.