Menstrual hygiene practice between rural and urban high school adolescent girls in Bangladesh

Background: Menstruation is a natural, normal biological process experienced by all adolescent girls and women. Urinary tract infection, reproductive tract infection and complication during pregnancy are the impact of poor menstrual hygiene practices. The aim of this study is to compare the menstrual hygiene practice between rural and urban high school adolescent girls in Bangladesh.Methods: A descriptive comparative study design was used. Cluster sampling technique was used to select 120 study participants. The data were collected through self-reported questionnaire by structured questionnaires. In descriptive statistics; frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and in inferential statistics; chi-square-test, t-test was used to compare the menstrual hygiene practice between rural and urban. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.Results: There was significant difference between rural and urban girls regarding mean age at menarche (5.50, p = 0.000). There was a statistically significant difference between rural and urban girls using of sanitary pad (30.54, p = 0.000) and reusable cloth (38.92, p = 0.000).Conclusions: This study found that menstrual hygiene practice (MHP) was more among the urban high school adolescent girls than in the rural high school adolescent girls. The result provides baseline information regarding menstrual hygiene practice (MHP) among rural participants that’s why need more emphasize on health promotion and counseling program regarding menstrual hygiene practice (MHP) among rural and primary level health sectors in Bangladesh.

The Relationships among Postpartum Fatigue, Depressive Mood, Self-care Agency, and Self-care Action of First-time Mothers in Bangladesh

PURPOSE: Postpartum fatigue can impact maternal well-being and has been associated with levels of perceived self-care. This study aimed to examine the relationship among fatigue, depressive mood, self-care agency, and self-care action among postpartum women in Bangladesh. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional survey was done with 124 first-time mothers from two tertiary hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Modified Fatigue Symptoms checklist, Denyes' Self Care Instrument, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and items on sociodemographic and delivery-related characteristics, were used in Bengali via translation and back-translation process. RESULTS: High fatigue levels were found in 18.5%(n=23) and 73.4% had possible depression (n=91). There was a significant negative relationship between fatigue and self-care agency (r=−.31, p < .001), and self-care action (r=−.21, p < .05). Fatigue differed by level of self-care agency (t=4.06, p < .001), self-care action (t=2.36, p=.023), newborn's APGAR score (t=−2.93, p=.004), parental preparation class participation (F=15.53, p < .001), and postpartum depressive mood (t=-4.64, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that high level of self-care efficacy and behaviors can contribute to fatigue management, and highlight the need for practical interventions to better prepare mothers for postpartum self-care, which may, in turn, alleviate postpartum fatigue.