| dc.description.abstract | Background:
Menstruation is a natural biological process that is experienced by women and it has a great
impact on physical and social health. It is important to maintain the menstrual hygiene to
reduce different health complications. Due to social norms, lack of menstrual and hygiene
knowledge, resources, hygiene products, and menstrual products women and girls can't
maintain menstrual hygiene which can increase different health risks for them. Therefore, this
study aimed to assess the current KAP of menstrual hygiene among high school-going
adolescent girls in Bhuapur (Tangail), Bangladesh.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among four different villages of Bhuapur, Tangail.
This study included 300 adolescent girls between the ages of 13 to 18 who were having
periods and studying in high school in grades 7 to 10 in Bhuapur. A pre-tested semi-
structured questionnaire was used to collect the information from the participants. Data was
analyzed by using SPSS software. Besides, the chi-square was calculated to assess the
association between independent and dependent variables.
Result:
This study found that 50% of the participants knew about menstruation before their menarche
and their source of information was their mother but only 33% knew that menstrual blood
came from the uterus. 26% of the participants couldn’t do exercises and 15% couldn’t eat
certain types of food (such as sour, cold water, cucumber, red meat, etc.) during
menstruation. Besides, 64% of the participants used sanitary pads 32.7% used reusable
clothes and others used new clothes. Among the participants, 73.3% changed their absorbent
three times or more in a day and others twice a day. Moreover, only 23% used soap and water
to clean their genital area. 76.3% of the participants felt comfortable at school during their
menstruation. The result of this study found that those who knew about menstruation before
their menarche, were significantly associated with good practices (used sanitary pads) and
changed their absorbent regularly means three times or more a day (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
According to this study, there was a significant association between menstrual knowledge
and practices. Among the participants, who knew about menstruation before their menarche,
they showed better hygiene practices. However, many girls still didn’t have enough
knowledge about menstruation and how to practice menstrual hygiene. Therefore, schools,
families and communities can arrange informative workshops for the girls about menstruation
and hygiene practices to provide proper information. | en_US |
