PERCEPTIONS REGARDING MENSTRUATION AND PRACTICES DURING MENSTRUAL CYCLES AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN URBAN FIELD PRACTICE AREA OF IGIMS, PATNA INDIA

Authors

  • Dr. Tajwar Yasmeen 1Senior Resident, Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna

Abstract

Onset of menstruation is one of the most important changes occurring during adolescence. Menstruation is a milestone event in a girl's life and the beginning of reproductive life. In various parts of India, there are several cultural traditions, myths and misconceptions related to menstruation, which make them vulnerable to genital tract infections. Lack of menstrual hygiene in adolescent girls can make them susceptible to various morbidities, for example, reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection and their long-term consequences i.e. cervical cancer, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. The objective of this present study was to know the level of knowledge, attitude towards menstruation and to find out practices of menstrual hygiene and their health related problems during menstruation among school going adolescent girls in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre IGIMS, Patna. A Sample size of 400 (10-19 years of age) was calculated and a pre designed questionnaire was used to collect the respective data. After the statistical analysis of the data the mean age and standard deviation of girls included in the study was 15.6±2.86. 62% of the total sample population reported age of menarche 12-13 years. Majority of them (82%) reported to have a regular menstruation cycle. The menstruation bleeding duration was found to be 3-5 days by 72.5% of the total sample population. Almost 91% states to have menstruation cycle length of 21-35 days monthly. The primary informer regarding menstruation in half of the sample population was their mothers (50%), 92% reported to menstruation as a normal physiological process. During the analysis of menstruation hygiene practice the major finding was the method of disposable. It was found that only 16% of them was using dustbin to dispose the used napkins. In the assessment of restrictions during the menstruation it was found that 83.75% was restricted to enter into the Pooja room. The major health problem was found to be the abdominal pain during menstruation which was reported by 70% of them. Hence it is important to educate the girls with scientific knowledge and dispelling their myths and misconceptions thereby encouraging safe and hygienic practices for safeguarding themselves against various infections.

Keywords: Menstruation, Adolescent, Hygiene, Urban field

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Published

2019-01-30

How to Cite

Dr. Tajwar Yasmeen. (2019). PERCEPTIONS REGARDING MENSTRUATION AND PRACTICES DURING MENSTRUAL CYCLES AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN URBAN FIELD PRACTICE AREA OF IGIMS, PATNA INDIA. International Journal of Medical Science And Diagnosis Research, 3(1). Retrieved from https://www.ijmsdr.com/index.php/ijmsdr/article/view/189

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