Wakefulness Regarding Menstrual Cycle and Contraceptives among Rural Adolescent Punjabi Girls

Adolescence signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Menarche is considered as period of peak height velocity or "growth spurt" where maturation of all reproductive parts takes place. For acceptance of these changes, awareness is necessary regarding menstrual cycle including knowledge of contraceptives among adolescents. The present study was undertaken to assess the awareness regarding menstrual cycle and contraceptives among adolescent girls.

In this descriptive study 100 adolescent girls of selected schools of rural area, district Ludhiana were enrolled by convenience sampling technique. Data was collected by self-report method using multiple choice questionnaire regarding menstrual cycle and contraceptives.

Findings revealed that more than half (51%) of subjects had below average knowledge regarding menstrual cycle whereas more than 2/3rd (70%) of study subjects had below average knowledge regarding contraceptives. Most common menstrual problem (23%) found was dysmenorrhea. Sikh adolescents were significantly more aware about menstrual cycle as compared to Hindu. Media was the significant source of information among adolescents. Age at menarche had significant (p<0.05) impact on level of awareness regarding contraceptives among adolescent girls.

The study concludes that awareness (level of knowledge) regarding menstrual cycle and a contraceptive is below average among adolescent girls. Therefore, it is recommended to make school teachers and parents more sensitive to this issue and organize exhibitions and health talks regarding menstrual cycle and contraceptives in rural community.