Menstrual hygiene practices and related infections among adolescent girls of an urban poor locality
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Youth and Adolescent Health - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Hygienic practices during menstruation are of considerable importance, as it has a health impact in terms of increased vulnerability to infections. Menstrual hygiene management is a special problem for adolescent girls, particularly when attending school due to limited or lack of access to safe sanitary pads and good sanitary facilities. Government of India under RMNCH+A programme, introduced priority intervention for menstrual hygiene to prevent hygiene related infections. Objectives: (1) To assess the knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. (2) To assess the menstrual hygiene practices & related infections among the adolescent girls. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 adolescent girls who had attained menarche and residents of an urban poor locality Yarab Nagar, which comes under the field practice area of KIMS, Bangalore. Data regarding socio demographic details and menstrual hygiene practices was obtained in a pre- designed, semi structured proforma. All the subjects were examined for any related infections from a trained female doctor. The data was analysed in Microsoft Excel using mean & percentages. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 13.63 ± 5.76 years. Majority i.e., 306 (92.7%) of them used sanitary pads; whereas, 24 (7.3%) used old clothes as an absorbent during menstruation. Similarly, 98% cleaned the external genitalia with water during menstruation. The common infections related to menstruation were contact dermatitis (7.2%), candidiasis (5.4%) & UTI (3.5%). Conclusion: The knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene was inadequate among the adolescent girls; and this inadequate hygienic practices has led to infections.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Ravish HS,
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP454838
- DOI 10.24321/2349.2880.201817
- Views 97
- Downloads 0
Social Psychology and Social Issues: Students’ Participation in Bridging the Gap
Understanding and dealing with social issues is definitely not an easy task. A social evil like ‘Sati’ was eradicated over a period of time and as a result of dedicated contributions of many and at the same time due to s...
Consumption Patterns of Energy Drinks, Vitamin and Mineral Supplements by Adolescents and Their Association with Body Mass Index
Background: There has been an increase in the consumption of energy drinks and dietary supplements in India. However, the benefit of regular consumption of multivitamin and mineral supplements still remains questionable....
A Study to Assess Various Problems Faced by Street Children of Bhopal City
Introduction: Like all other children, although street children have the basic right to develop, survive and thrive, they encounter innumerable problems. To do so, at first it is necessary to address these children in te...
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding among Adolescents: A Neglected Problem
Onset of menstruation is an important indicator of puberty among girls. A large number of adolescents suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) during the initial months after the onset of menarche. Although menstrual...
Eating Disorders among Indian Adolescents
Objective: To assess and compare the prevalence and risk for eating disorders (ED) among middle and late adolescents in India. Materials and Methods: A prospective study conducted among 1855 adolescents of age group 14...