Knowledge About Menstrual Problems and Menstrual Hygiene Practices Among College Going Unmarried Girls in Chandigarh, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Menstruation is a vital part of the reproductive health of a woman. There is evident neglect of problems related to menstruation especially in young girls and they are lacking scientific knowledge regarding menstruation. The study was undertaken with the objective to assess the prevalence & patterns of menstrual problems, knowledge, belief, restrictions, menstrual hygiene and treatment seeking practice among college going unmarried girls of Chandigarh. MATERIALS AND METHODS A stratified multistage random sampling design was adopted for selection of participants from the selected colleges of Chandigarh. A total of 1000 girls who had attained menarche were selected. Information was collected through personal interviews conducted in privacy using semi-structured survey schedule. RESULTS The mean age of menarche was ± 13.89 years. Prior knowledge regarding menses was reported by 82.6% girls and 56.9% girls reported mother as the first source of information followed by 21.6% friends. 86.1% have regular menstrual history 86.8% of the respondents experienced pre menstrual syndrome while overall prevalence of menstrual problem in the present study was found 68.4%. Abdominal pain was the most common menstrual problem reported by 51.3% of participants having menstrual problems. 47.7% girls did not visit holy places during periods. 95.5% preferred sanitary napkins as menstrual absorbent. Treatment seeking behavior of the girls was poor and only about 34.9% of girls having menstrual problems approached for treatment. 72.4% of respondents were aware of emergency contraceptives. CONCLUSION The study revealed that there was an inappropriate knowledge and hygiene practice due to various Misconceptions, beliefs and taboos among college girls regarding menstruation. Reproductive health education in the school curriculum should be introduced for improving awareness regarding menstrual care practices.

Knowledge and its Association with Menstrual Hygiene Practices Among School Going Adolescents of Tokha Municipality

“…Similarly, nine out of ten participants in a study conducted in Northeast Ethiopia had prior information, and the majority of them cited their sisters as the source of information 26. A previous report based in Chandigarh, India also reported a very high knowledge prevalence, and more than half of the participants cited mothers and sisters as the source of menstrual knowledge 27 . Higher knowledge status in a family coupled with lower levels of apprehension while discussing menstruation with their daughters could be associated with greater literacy levels of the mothers and the presence of sister(s).…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in Imphal East, Manipur: a cross-sectional study

“…Other studies reported similar results. 16,[24][25][26][27] But in other similar studies conducted in Rajasthan, only 25% and 28% reported the use of readymade sanitary pads respectively. 3,28 Only 13% reported using cloth in the study while other studies found that cloth was used as the major absorbent.…”

Parental Behaviors During Menstruation among female students

“…In social context people avoid talking about menstruation due to stigma or taboo, girls might not fully understand what's happening to their bodies. Parents' reluctance to openly discuss these topics prevents adolescent girls from getting the information they need (Sachdeva et al, 2017). Thérèse and Maria (2010) explores that women and girls disproportionately shoulder the burden of poor health, spend considerable time fetching water, and lack privacy for defecation and personal hygiene.…”

“…Access to clean absorbents, together with facilities for replacing, washing, or discarding them as needed, and soap and water for cleansing the body and absorbents are essential components of effective menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Sachdeva et al (2017) claims that menstruation, a natural physiological occurrence exclusive to females, commences during adolescence. Similarly, Santina et al (2013) argue that the menstrual cycle is a regular, natural physiological occurrence.…”