ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND ATTITUDE ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL

Menstruation is a monthly occurring physiological process among women when she enters adolescence. Menstruation requires certain requirement and facilities, lacking of which restricts their health and self confidence. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of menstrual hygiene among medical students. A pre formed Self-developed, pre-validated questionnaire was used. The protocol and purpose of the study was explained to students and requested to complete the questionnaire. Data collected were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed. Out of 300 students, 270 gave completed response. Mean age of menarche was 12 years. The main source of information regarding the menstrual practice was found to be mother 79.25%. About 68.6% students were aware that menstruation is a physiological process, where as 20% thought that it was a curse of god. Majority of them 80% responded menstrual blood was impure and excessive bleeding will lead to anemia. 100% of the students followed proper sanitary habits. 97.03% of them used sanitary napkins instead of sanitary towels /cloth as menstrual absorbent. 74% girls had regular menses with moderate blood. Menstrual disturbance was seen among 74% of the girls. 60.6% girls were forced to follow different restrictions like not allowed to visit holy places. From our study we came to know that majority of the Medical students have proper knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene. Medical student being a health care professional in future will help in giving proper knowledge about menstrual hygiene and bring in a disease free and healthy society.