Menstrual Hygiene Practices of Adolescent Girls in Rural Maharashtra

Abstract

Menstrual practices of adolescent girls in rural parts of India are greatly influenced by taboos and socio-cultural beliefs. In this study, the menstrual hygiene practices and beliefs of 122 adolescent girls between the ages of 13 and 19 years from rural Maharashtra were evaluated by personal interview and questionnaires. None of the girls had the right scientific knowledge about menstruation and were isolated during menstruation. They used cloth or home-made sanitary pads and were at risk of infections. There is a dire need for knowledge dissemination among school children and their families, increased awareness of menstrual hygiene and access to the requisite sanitary products in rural areas.

Determinants of menstrual hygiene among adolescent school girls in a rural area of Patna, Bihar, India: A cross-sectional study

“…Adolescence constitutes a vulnerable group, and the key priority is to provide them with the necessary knowledge, facilities, and cultural environment to manage menstruation hygienically and with dignity. The mean age of menarche in our study was 12.37 ± 0.92 years which is comparatively lesser than a previous study[ 12 ] that had reported the average age of menarche as 13.16 ± 1.9 years, while a more recent study (2020) in Haryana reported it to be 12.8 ± 1.73 years. [ 13 ] This shows a declining trend in the average age of menarche influenced perhaps by factors such as geographical location, education, wealth status, caste, religious affiliations, etc.…”

“…The present study observed that about 66% of girls changed the absorbents two to three times a day which is in concordance with several studies. [ 9 12 18 20 ] Method of disposal of sanitary pads was satisfactory (throwing in dustbins after wrapping it) among 80% of the girls. Similar findings were obtained in other studies as well.…”

A cross sectional study on menstrual hygiene and associated factors among high school girls in rural Mysuru

“…8 years while the mean age of menarche in other studies i.e., by Suman et al, Mathiyalagan et al, and Aggarwal et al was 12.7 years, 12.9 years, and 13.16 years respectively 8,19,20. The peak age of menarche in the present study was 12 years.…”

“…The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), India's national strategy for adolescent health, was introduced in January 2014 and places a high priority on access to MHM knowledge, assistance, and supplies via counsellors and adolescent friendly health clinics. 8 Girls have historically received less attention in India in many areas of life, including nutrition. Growth and sexual development may be delayed by inadequate nutrition in adolescents, which is similar to the anticipated outcomes of chronic starvation in infancy and childhood.…”

“…12 In India, a large portion of the population lacks a scientific understanding; instead, they hold plenty of superstitious beliefs that lead to substandard MHM practices. 8 MHM has been included fully in the Swachh Bharat Mission Principles. For better MHM across the nation, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has released operational guidelines for state governments, district level authorities, engineers, and instructors to follow.…”