Knowledge, attitude and practices about menstruation among adolescent female in Uttarakhand

Abstract

Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females. The onset of menstruation is one of the most important changes occurring amongst the girls during the adolescent years. It becomes the part and parcel of their lives until menopause. Apart from personal importance, this phenomenon also has social significance. To study the knowledge, source of information, attitude and practice regarding menstruation among adolescent female of Uttarakhand, a cross sectional survey of randomized sample of 200 females was interviewed through questionnaire method at villages of Khirshu block of Pauri, Garhwal. The study revealed that 32.5% girls had the prior information and knowledge regarding menstruation before attaining the menarche, 32% girls reported uterus as the organ from where menstrual blood comes, 43.5% girl's reported mother as the first informant followed by sister in 20%. Majority of the girls preferred cloth pieces rather than sanitary pads as menstrual absorbent, only 38% girls used sanitary pads during menses. 63 7% girls dried their clothes in corner of the house. It was observed that method of disposal of the used material, 64.5% threw in dustbin, 25% girls threw on road side, while 10.5% burned the cloths. The present study has revealed low level of knowledge and various misconceptions among adolescent girls regarcling menstruation, which has become a silent epidemic that demolish women's life which is closely interrelated with poor menstrual hygiene. Keywords: Menstruation, Menstrual hygiene, Adolescent, Knowledge.