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Assessment of
Knowledge and Practices about Menstrual Hygiene amongst Rural and Urban
Adolescent Girls �A comparative Study
S.B.Salve1,
R.K. Dase2, S.M.Mahajan3 and S.A.Adchitre4
{1Professor,
2Assistant Professor, 3 & 4Associate Professor},
Dept. of Community Medicine, MGM�s Medical College, Aurangabad (MS)
INDIA.
Academic Editor: Dr.
Aher K. R.
Adolescence is the
period of transition from childhood to adulthood, spanning the age
between 10 to 19 years. In girls Menarche starts during this period, and
girls feel shy to discuss the topic openly, So to assess the knowledge
and practices amongst rural and urban adolescent, present study was
carried out in Study area comprises Z.P. High school Ambelohale form
rural area and Sharda Mandir Girls High School Aurangabad from Urban
area. In the field practice area of MGM Medical College Aurangabad.
(M.S.). During the period January 2011 to April 2011. A total of 189
rural and 132 urban girls of 8th to 10th standard
were included in this study. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect
the information. Post test health Education was given about reproductive
health, menstrual hygiene by Gynecologists. Findings were analyzed and
statistical relationship was determined by using chi-square test.
Results:-
93(49%) rural & 94(71%) urban girls had started menarche ,regularities
of menstruation was better in rural girls i.e. 87(94%) compared to
urban girls, 53(56%). Percentage of using market available sanitary
napkins was more in urban girls 56(60%) compared to rural girls 6 (06%)
whereas homemade sanitary napkins were used by 87(94%) rural girls & 38
(40%) urban girls and this difference was statistically significant
.amongst rural girls ,female teacher was the main source of knowledge
89(47%) while it was mother in urban area 48(36%).knowledge about
reproductive system, determination of foetal sex, age of marriage etc.
was better amongst urban girls. Social taboos like separate sitting,
restriction on attending school & social functions were more amongst
rural girls while sanitary facilities like attached toilet , full wall
bathroom ,sufficient water etc were less in rural areas. Differences
came out of study were statistically significant.
Conclusion:
- knowledge, practices, sanitary facilities were less amongst rural girl
compared to urban girls.
Recommendation:-1)
sanitary facilities should made available to each house under NRHM.
2) Sanitary napkins
should made available at lowest cost with AWW/ANM/ASHA
3) Health education
in small groups of girls, to increase health awareness and healthful
practices should be given regularly.
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