Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge And Practices Among School Adolescent Girls In Rural Community In Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i1.108Keywords:
cleaning ability, social practice, knowledge, urban and rural communities, menstrual hygieneAbstract
Introduction: Menstrual hygiene is a critical aspect of adolescent girls' health, yet it remains a neglected topic, particularly in rural areas. Poor menstrual hygiene practices can lead to various health complications, including urinary tract infections, reproductive tract infections, and emotional distress. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene among school adolescent girls in a rural community in Pakistan.
Objective: To evaluate the menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices of school- going adolescent girls in rural Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at different rural communities of Punjab, Pakistan during June 2024 to December 2024. Data include 650 adolescent girls attending schools in a rural community. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed participants' knowledge about menstruation, menstrual hygiene practices, and sources of information.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and knowledge and practices were categorized into adequate and inadequate based on predefined criteria.
Results: 58% of the girls had adequate knowledge about menstruation, while 42% had inadequate knowledge. In terms of practices, 62% of girls reported using sanitary pads, whereas 38% used cloths or other materials, with a significant number of them not changing the material regularly. A majority of the participants (62%, 403/650) used sanitary pads, while 38% (247/650) relied on cloths. Among the younger age group (<14 years), 85% (139/163) used cloths, highlighting a greater reliance on traditional materials among younger girls, which poses a higher risk of infections.
Conclusion: There is a significant gap in menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices among adolescent girls in rural Pakistan. Improving access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and sanitation facilities are critical for improving menstrual health outcomes.
Categories: Obstetrics/Gynecology, Public Health, Epidemiology/Public Health
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