Knowledge and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls in Panauti Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal: A Study From Low Middle- income Country

Abstract

Background: Menstruation, also known as the menstrual cycle, is a hormonal process that a woman's body experiences monthly to prepare for a possible pregnancy. Objective: The main aim of this study is to identify the status of knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls residing in Panauti Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 adolescent girls residing in ward no. one, two, and three of the Panauti Municipality. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice level among the respondents. Suitable statistical tools were used to reach the conclusions. Results: The level of knowledge regarding menstruation was adequate in 53.5% of respondents and the level of practice of menstrual hygiene was adequate in 59% of the respondents. The study found that factors like the age of respondents, academics, mother's occupation, annual income and household source of water were significantly associated with the level of practice of menstrual hygiene by adolescent girls. The study also inferred that there was no significant association between the level of knowledge regarding menstruation in adolescent girls and the level of practice of menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: The study concluded that 53.5% of adolescent girls were having good knowledge and 59% of girls were practicing menstrual hygiene. Socio-economic and environmental factors like age of respondents, level of education, occupation of mother, annual household income and household source of water were significantly associated with menstrual hygiene practice.