Menstruation and Menstrual hygiene among Adolescent girls of Ahmadabad city: A Descriptive Analysis
Abstract
Adolescence proves to be the most vulnerable phase in the path of human life cycle after infancy. Adolescent Girls (AGs) have many issues related to menstruation which is seldom addressed. Unhygienic practices during menstruation endanger the reproductive health and well being of AGs. Hence, a study was undertaken to assess the reproductive health status of Adolescent AGs.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 467 AGs attending Adolescent Friendly Health Service (AFHS) clinics in Ahmadabad city during May 2011 to august 2012.
Result: Mean age of AGs was 14.5+2.4 years. Out of 467 AGs, 296 (63.3%) had attained Menarche. Mean age at Menarche was 13.31+1.31 years in this study (Fig 1). Source of information regarding menstrual cycle was mother in 77.7% AGs in this study. Dysmenorrhea was present in 59.9% AGs. Dysmenorrhea was seen in 107(67.3%) AG in the late adolescence, 68(53.1%) in mid adolescence and 2(22.2%) in early adolescence. The difference in occurrence of Dysmenorrhea observed in different phases of adolescence was significant (χ2=37.423,Df=2,p<0.0001). Pre-menstrual tension was complained by 27.7% AGs and Vulval pruritus by 2% AGs.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need of AGs to have correct and complete information regarding menstruation at appropriate age from formal channels of communication which is mother in this case. Informal channels such as friends and sister tends to increase the misconception and improper menstrual hygiene which could make the AGs vulnerable to infection.
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Introduction
Adolescence is the pivotal time in the life of the child, for it is the gateway to adulthood.1 It is a journey from the world of the child to the world of the adult. It is a time of physical and emotional change as the body matures and the mind becomes more questioning.
In India, it is estimated that adolescents (10-19 years) constitute 21.8% of the population, i.e. 207 million in number. 2 Adolescents represents over one fifth of our population. In our country, as a result of poor nutritional status of the average Indian adolescent girl (AG), menarche occurs later than in other regions of the world while marriage and consequently the onset of sexual activity and fertility occur far earlier leading to their poor reproductive health and also result in high infant mortality. 3
Adolescence proves to be the most vulnerable phase in the path of human life cycle after infancy, characterized by rapid growth and development with a transition from childhood to adulthood. 4 Puberty is the period in the growth and development of the child that encompasses the initiation and progression of sexual and physical maturation.
Conclusion
This study highlights the need of AGs to have correct and complete information regarding menstruation at appropriate age from formal channels of communication which is mother in this case. Informal channels such as friends and sister tends to increase the misconception and improper menstrual hygiene which could make the AGs vulnerable to infection. Much more efforts are needed to increase the use of sanitary pads by making it available and at a affordable rate to AGs and curbing the re-use of cloths as pads.