Abstract

Menstruation poses various challenges for adolescent girls, impacting their physical, psychological and social well-being. This study focuses on menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in the rural field practice area of Government Medical College, Nizamabad. It aims to assess knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene and estimate the prevalence of school absenteeism associated with menstrual issues. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 250 adolescent girls aged 10-19 years from selected schools during September 2022 to January 2023. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire, analyzing factors such as age distribution, educational status, economic conditions, religious affiliation and education level of mothers. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were employed for data analysis. Results: The majority of participants (58%) were aged 13-14 years, with 65.6% having a high school education or below. Economic conditions showed 58.8% below the poverty line. Hindus constituted the largest religious group (58.8%). Findings revealed gaps in knowledge, as some participants held misconceptions about menstruation. Negative practices included pad reuse (prevalent) and stigma surrounding discussing menstruation with male family members. The prevalence of school absenteeism due to menstrual problems is found to be 15.2%. Conclusion: This research highlights a significant knowledge gap regarding menstruation among adolescent girls. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive educational interventions to enhance awareness and understanding of menstruation, including its processes and common problems. The study also reveals significant school absenteeism due to menstruation, calling for measures like providing menstrual hygiene facilities and promoting menstrual health education in schools.

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