Menstrual distress and school absenteeism among adolescents in Hisar, Haryana

Abstract

Menstrual distress may play a major role in the academic performance of adolescent female students. Menstruation related symptoms may have negative influences on academic learning outcomes. Poor menstrual hygiene management has been shown to result in a sense of shame, anxiety, and embarrassment that contributes to absenteeism and poor performance at school. The objectives of this study were to determine the percentage of girls absent from school during menstruation, to evaluate the menstrual distress associated with school absenteeism during menstruation. The study was conducted on 240 adolescent girls in the age group of 10-14years and 15-19 years belonging to rural and urban areas of Hisar district. The study found that early menarche respondents who attained menarche early were more distressed as compared to medium and delayed menarche respondents. Menstrual distress was observed more in respondents with irregular cycle pattern than the respondents having regular cycle pattern. 57.1% respondents were absent from the school during their menstruation, where as 72.3% respondents missed 1-2 days per month during periods whereas 27.7% were absent 3-4 days per month on account of periods. As per academic achievement of adolescents in context of menstrual distress 25.8% respondents had poor performance followed by 51.6% respondents who had average rest of the 22.5% had excellent academic achievement.