Prevalence of Knowledge, Attitude & Practice Regarding Menstrual Hygiene in High School Girls: A Cross-sectional Study from Belagavi, Karnataka, India
Abstract
Introduction: Menstruation is a biological process exclusive to females. It
is associated with many misconceptions and practices, which sometimes
cause adverse health outcomes. Hence, all aspects of menstruation
need to be understood by adolescent girls. In general, an insufficient
level of awareness, with widespread myths, misconceptions and taboos
about menstruation is harmful to human society.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2019
to November 2019. This study was done among 600 adolescent high
school girls from 12 different high schools (6 rural and 6 urban) in
Belagavi. A set of structured questionnaires was prepared to assess
their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding menstrual hygiene.
Result: The results showed there was no source of information
available for 43.33% (n = 260) of students regarding menstruation
before menarche. The overall percentages for knowledge, attitude, and
practice about menstrual hygiene were 55.69%, 49.66%, and 47.52%
respectively and out of the total, only 38.80% of respondents mentioned
that the urination site and menstruation site are different and 22.60%
did not know the cause of menstruation. During menstruation, 63.83%
of respondents used sanitary pads, whereas 18.50% of girls relied on
old clothes as sanitary aid.
Conclusion: Despite the government running various educational
programmes, high school girls still need health education regarding
menstruation, such as the absorbent material used, disposal of the
absorbent material, hygiene followed during the menstrual period etc.
How to cite this article:
Mahajan P, Sagare SS, Sanikop G, Sah A.
Prevalence of Knowledge, Attitude & Practice
regarding Menstrual Hygiene in High School
Girls: A Cross-sectional Study from Belagavi City,
Karnataka, India. Chettinad Health City Med J.
2023;12(4):87-95.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202377
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