Effect of structured lecture on the knowledge and practices of menstrual health in adolescent girls of urban slum

ABSTRACT

Background: Menstruation is natural physiological processes. Psychosocial and religious taboos around it make it complicated as health issue. Poor menstrual health is not only associated with health and well?being of women, but also reflects on morbidity and mortality patterns of female population. Aim and Objectives: The study aims to assess the effect of a structured lecture on the knowledge and awareness about practices of menstrual health in adolescent girls of urban slum. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls of slum area in Aurangabad city of Maharashtra. Pre-structured Questionnaire to assess the knowledge and practices about menstruation and menstrual hygiene was given. Structured lecture was organized and postlecture questionnaire was taken. Results: 72% were in age group of 10–14 years and mean age of menarche was 12.7 years. Before lecture 64% had poor awareness about hygienic menstrual practices, 24% had fair, 12% had good awareness. But after the lecture, the majority of girls, that is, 56% showed good awareness, 30% had fair while 14% girls still showed the poor awareness. This difference was found statistically significant. The reasons behind the unhygienic practices most commonly quoted were poverty, high cost of sanitary pads, ignorance and lack of privacy. Conclusion: If perception and attitude of adolescent girls toward menstrual hygiene is improved then it will definitely enhance their reproductive health. Moreover, awareness created among them will indirectly affect their mother’s reproductive health and their next female generation as well.