A study to assess the knowledge on menstruation and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls in the selected rural area of Ludhiana, Punjab

Abstract

Adolescent is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood. It is a time of biological intellectual, psychosocial, and economic changes, at this stage of adolescent majority of girls attain menarche. Menarche is the first menstruation of the girls which occur every month periodically. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge on menstruation, practices regarding menstrual hygiene and to determine the association regarding menstruation with selected demographic variables. Quantitative research approach was adopted for the study and descriptive survey design was used. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data from 200 Adolescent girls of Sarabha, Pakhowal Ludhiana. Data was collected using Tool was divided into four parts i.e. Socio-Demographic profile, self-structured Knowledge Questionnaires and Menstrual practice Questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study revealed that that maximum (39%) of the participants having average knowledge regarding menstruation.As regard to practices, (65%) of the participants using disposable sanitary pads, (41%) of participant’s change 3 times of their menstrual material on the heaviest day of period, (51%) of participants wash their hands after changing menstrual materials. (26%) of participants once per day wash their genitals & (42%) sometimes wash genitals with soap. (33%) of the participants burned menstrual material at home. (32%) of the participants dispose in the toilet when they are away from home. There were significant association of knowledge with socio-economic demographic variable. The study concluded that maximum girls adolescent girls having average knowledge & having significant association with socio-economic status.