A STUDY ON MENSTRUAL PRACTICES AND HYGIENE AMONG ADOLESCENTGIRLS IN A GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL

BACKGROUND : Menstruation is considered unclean in the Indian society. Isolation and restrictions being imposed on menstruating girls in family, have reinforced a negative attitude towards this phenomenon. Menstrual hygiene is a very important component of Reproducti ve Maternal, New - born, Child Health + Adolescent Programme (RMNCH+A). OBJECTIVE: To assess menstrual hygiene and menstrual practices among adolescent girls of Government Zilla Parishad Girls High School ,Medchal. Telanagana, India. MATERIALS & METHODS : A cross - sectional study was conducted among 252 girls belonging to 8th, 9th & 10th standards. Consent taken from the Head Mistress of the school and the respective class teachers. A pre - designed, pre - tested self - administered questionnaire in the local langua ge (telugu) was distributed in each class. Data was entered into MS Excel and analysis done using Epi - info 7.1. RESULTS : Only 15.29% know that menstruation is a normal physiological process. 21.9% do not use sanitary pads. 96.28% bathe regularly during men struation. 9.09% do not go to school, 76.45% are not allowed to go out and play with friends outdoors, 93.39% do not attend religious functions and do not worship god during menstruation. CONCLUSIONS : Menstrual hygiene is found to be satisfactory but the re is a need to educate the girls about menstruation, its importance and practices.