Abstract

Background: Menstruation is an exceptional phenomenon that the nature has planned for women. Most adolescent girls enter to their puberty stage without preparing themselves due to the shortage of adequate information. Most women are uncomfortable to discuss regarding “menses” as it is a social taboo and adolescent girls could not have access to gain adequate information.

Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: To assess knowledge regarding menstruation in adolescent girls. To give details about menstrual hygiene related practices and find out associated problems.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to February 2018 in Udaipur city of Rajasthan. Total of 440 school going adolescent girls from 9th to 12th standards were included in study.

Results: Mean age of menarche in the present study was 13.31 ± 1.03. Mothers found to be the main source of information regarding menstruation. The association between education of mother and sanitary napkin use among adolescent was found to be statistically significant. Only 23.79% adolescents with menstrual-related problems had taken treatment.

Conclusions: Knowledge and practices regarding menstruation were compromised in adolescents.

Key words: Adolescent; Menstruation; Sanitary Napkins; Education; Mother