Menstrual Hygiene and Reproductive Morbidity in Adolescent Girls in Dehradun, India.
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Date
2014-04
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Abstract
Context: In India, adolescent girls face serious health problem due to socio-economic, environmental
and cultural conditions as well as gender discrimination. Avast majority of girls in India
are suffering from either general or reproductive morbidities. Unhygienic practices during
menstruation expose them for Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). If not treated early, it could
lead to various disabilities and consequently affect their valuable lives. This study was done
with the aim of estimating the magnitude of gynaecological morbidities among unmarried adolescent
girls as well as to find out the relation between menstrual hygiene and RTI. Settings
and Design: Cross-Sectional Observational study conducted in two randomly selected Inter
colleges (one rural and one urban) of district Dehradun, Uttarakhand state. Methods and
Material: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in school going unmarried adolescent girls
to know their menstrual hygiene practices as well as reproductive morbidity. Data was collected
by interview method using a pretested, prestructured questionnaire after taking consent.
Statistical analysis used: percentages and Chi-square test Results: Approximately 65 % of the
girls reported having dysmenorrhoea and 19 % of the girls had given the history of excessive
vaginal discharge with or without low backache/lower abdominal pain. Strong association was
found between Reproductive Tract Infections and poor menstrual hygiene. Conclusions: Girls
should be made aware of the process of menstruation and importance of maintaining its
hygiene before attaining menarche. They should also be made aware about its linkages with
their forthcoming reproductive health.
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Keywords
Adolescent girls, India, menstrual hygiene, Reproductive Tract Infections
Citation
Juyal R, Kandpal S D, Semwal J. Menstrual Hygiene and Reproductive Morbidity in Adolescent Girls in Dehradun, India. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science. 2014; 13(2): 170-174.