KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG ADOLESCENT HIGH SCHOOL GOING GIRLS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 TO 18 IN BHUAPUR (TANGAIL), BANGLADESH

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.