Understanding challenges related to menstrual hygiene management: Knowledge and practices among the adolescent girls in urban slums of Jaipur, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in urban slums in Jaipur, India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 417 adolescent girls was conducted. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to analyze the data and determine the associated factors. Findings: Only 48.7% of girls had a correct understanding of menstruation. In addition, 55.1% of the menstruating girls had faced health problems related to mensuration in the last 6 months; however, only 47.6% visited a health facility for treatment. Educational status of the girl (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.88–4.06), mother’s education (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.30–3.67) and income (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.67–3.95), father’s income (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.76–2.95), and counseling by field health workers (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.23–3.51) were found to be associated with knowledge about menstruation. Girl’s education (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.74–2.95), mother’s education (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.7–2.84) and income (AOR = 1.314, 95% CI = 0.44–2.02), father’s education (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 0.55–3.08) and income (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.86–3.28), and counseling by field health workers (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 0.76–2.64) were found to be associated with the type of absorbents used. Conclusion: The findings from the study show that the awareness about mensuration and utilization of health services among adolescent girls is low. There is a need to create an enabling environment for girls to access knowledge and health services related to menstruation by creating awareness at the community level, strengthening outreach by field health workers, and ensuring privacy in healthcare facilities.