RESUMO
This is a cross sectional study carried out on schoolgirls in Mansoura to study their knowledge, attitude, and practices about menstruation and the impact of education on their knowledge. Also incidence of menstrual disorders was described. A total of 664 female students were selected by cluster sampling techniques from public general, technical, and nursing secondary schools of urban and rural areas. Data were collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire during the class time. Twenty-two [3.3%] of students never menstruated. The mean age of menarche was 12.9 years. Menarche occurred at significantly younger age among girls of general secondary schools, girls of urban residence, and those belonging to high social class. The onset of menarche was shameful and embarrassing and leaves bad impression in more than 50% of girls. Furthermore, 80.1% believe that menstrual blood is unclean, unnecessary and/or harmful to the body. 32.1% reported no knowledge about menstruation before menarche. Mothers were the commonest source of knowledge whether before or after menarche. Menstruation was irregular in 33.2% of girls. The mean cycle length and mean duration of bleeding were 30.6 and 2.5 days, respectively. Bleeding was heavy in 17.3% of girls. 66.9% of girls use sanitary pads for protection during menstrual bleeding and 80.2% of them dispose off the material used with domestic refuse. Lack of privacy during hygienic care was reported by 24.5% of girls. During menstruation, religious practices were avoided by 99.5% of girls, 78.3% avoids sports and excess movement, and 43.9% avoid special foods. Reasons cited for such behavior were, religious teaching, habit and imitation of others as well as advice from others. 12.5%, 32.7%, and 17.1% of girls reported correct knowledge about cause of bleeding, relation of ovulation to bleeding, and origin of menstrual blood. The correct knowledge was significantly higher among nursing students, urban girls, and those of high social class. 64% of girls need more knowledge about menstruation. Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome were the most frequently reported menstrual disorders, 74.6% and 62.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Menarche occurs at younger age in girls from the well-to-do social status. Girls were not adequately informed about menstruation and its hygiene. Menstrual abnormalities were frequent among studied girls. Many girls avoid specific behavior and foods due to a variety of reasons. The situation is expected to be worst among out-of schoolgirls. There is a need for health education program for this sector of girls. School health should cover counseling and management of menstrual abnormalities