A community based study on menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in an urban slum of Patna

Abstract

Aim: To study the menstrual hygiene practices of adolescent girls residing in urban slums of Patna .Material and Methods: A community based cross sectional study of 65 adolescent(10-19 years) girls available with Anganwadi workers from ICDS centres were interviewed on a pre -designed semi structured and pre-validated questionnaire to collect data on menstrual hygiene over a period of 3 months(January to March 2017). Result: Out of 65 adolescent enrolled girls 58.8% girls consulted their mother for menstruation related issues and 47% faced social restriction during menstruation. 61% girls were using sanitary pads. Only 7% girls had safe and hygienic practice of throwing used clothes after single use. Use of sanitary napkins and religion were not significantly (p>0.05) associated while monthly family income and educational status were significantly associated. Conclusion: The menstrual hygiene practices were poor among girls with social restriction and taboos. Education about proper menstruation hygiene practices is essential to overcome these barriers.

Key words: Adolescent, menstrual hygiene, sanitary napkins, social restriction.