ABSTRACT
Background: Despite the strides made in the field of adolescent and women health, menstrual problems remain a stigma. Unsatisfactory menstrual hygiene practices have a profound influence on the adolescent girl’s health and academic performance. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the relationship between school absenteeism and poor MHM and its impacts on school girl’s day to day lives.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 384 adolescent girls enrolled in anganwadi centres of the urban slum of Madhya Pradesh from January to June 2018. A pre-designed and pretested questionnaire used to collect the data regarding menstrual hygiene practices and school absenteeism. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.).Results: The study found that around two-thirds (64.3%) and nearly one third (30%) of the participants were using a simple cloth and sanitary pads. About half (50.6%) of the respondents miss their school during the menstruation. Majority of them perceived that menstruation interferes with their school performance. The main reason for missing the schools was fear/ shame of leakage. In multivariable regression lack of sanitary facilities and painful menstruation remained significant predictors of school absenteeism.Conclusions: There is a dire need to fortify efforts directed towards increasing awareness on menstrual hygiene, to revamp the existing measures for improving menstrual health of the adolescent girls. Focused attention is warranted by policymakers to improve the quality of life of this vulnerable group.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death and disability. Quitting tobacco use at any age will help in improving the quality of health. Objective: To find out the intention to quit tobacco smoking and its predictors among adult male smokers. Methodology: A cross–sectional clinic based study was conducted for 2 months (July–august 2017) among 123 adult male current smokers. Nicotine dependence was assessed using Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) questionnaire and intention to quit tobacco smoking and its various predictors were assessed using structured schedule. Logistic regression was done to establish association. Results: Intention to quit tobacco smoking significantly associated with higher educational status (AOR=3.04. CI=1.32–6.98),low nicotine dependence(AOR=3.85, CI=1.52–9.73),less duration of tobacco smoking( AOR=2.33, CI=1.02–5.31),previous H/O quit attempts (AOR=2.73, CI=1.17–6.32) Conclusion: The low rate of quitting intention among adult smokers underscore the need for comprehensive policy initiatives that would encourage smokers to think about quitting. Keywords: Tobacco smoking, Nicotine dependence, Intention to quit smoking