Publication:

A study on knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among urban adolescent girls

Background Adolescent girls often lack knowledge regarding reproductive health including menstruation hygiene which can be due to socio-cultural barriers in which they grow up.

Methods To explore the knowledge, practices and sources of information regarding menstruation and hygiene among adolescent girls in Bangalore, India.

Methods An epidemiologic study was undertaken using cross-sectional study method among 550 school- going adolescent girls aged 13-16 years. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 15.

Results Around 34% participants were aware about menstruation prior to menarche, and mothers were the main source of information among both groups. Overall, 69% of adolescent girls were using sanitary napkins as  menstrual absorbent, while 6% were using both cloth and sanitary napkins. Almost half of the rural participants dried the absorbent inside their homes.

Conclusions There is a need to equip the adolescent girls with knowledge regarding safe, hygienic practices to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life.