Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) on Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls Residing in Govt. Social Welfare Hostels

Abstract

Background: Adolescent girls, in particular, should be encouraged toward practicing hygienic methods during menstruation like usage of sanitary pads and they should get access to clean sanitary products to safeguard their health Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls in social welfare hostels and their morbidity pattern during menstruation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among adolescent girls (11–19 years) residing in the government social welfare hostels, Chittoor. The study was started after obtaining the clearance from the institutation ethical committee. A predesigned, pretested, semistructured questionnaire was used and the data were expressed in proportions and frequencies, and appropriate statistical tests were done to see the association with the age category and morbidity profile. Results: A total of 200 were participated amongst them early adolescent age group (10–14 years) 68 and late adolescent age group (15–19 years) of 132 were involved. Majority of them (82 [41.0%]) reported menstruation as a physiological process, 57 (28.5%) as pathological process, 48 (24.0%) as curse of God, and very few did not know the reason. The source of information was the mother 73 (36.5%), sisters 72 (36.0%), and friends, respectively. More than three-fourth (155 [77.5%]) of the students were absent from the classes during menstruation and 45 (22.5%) students attended the classes regularly. Approximately 172 (86%) of the students had restrictions and the remaining 28 (14%) did not have any restrictions during menstruation. Treatment seeking during menstruation as home remedy was 48 (24.0%), consulting doctor was 64 (32.0), and 88 (44.0%) were not seeking any treatment during menstruation. The association between menstrual morbidities and age-wise distribution is found to be highly significant with χ2 = 39.04 and P < 0.001 Conclusions: The adolescent school girls had good knowledge and good practices regarding menstrual health among those who had attained menarche. Mothers were the primary source of information and education about menstruation and restrictions should be intensified.