Menstrual health and hygiene practices in School Going Adolescent Girls in India

Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for females indicating her capability for procreation. However this normal often associated with some degree of sufferings and embarrassment. Globally, approximately 52% of the female population is of reproductive age. In India, it is estimated that 200 million women have a poor understanding of menstrual hygiene practices. Moreover only 12% of Indian women and girls use commercial sanitary products. The prevalence of menstrual disorders has been recorded as high as 87%. Recently it has been seen that there is a relative openness in the society as well as commercialization has increased, in spite of this the menstrual hygienic practices have not changed much. Hygiene-related practices of women during menstruation are of considerable importance, as it has a health impact in terms of increased vulnerability to reproductive tract infections (RTI). The interplay of socio-economic status, menstrual hygiene practices and RTI is worth observing. Today millions of women are sufferers of RTI and its complications and often the infection is transmitted to the offspring of the pregnant mother. Women having better knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene and safe practices are less vulnerable to RTI and its consequences. Therefore, increased knowledge about menstruation right from childhood may promote safe practices and may help in alleviating the suffering of millions of women. The study will focus on the assessment of the menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls. Further to gain information about related health problems, health seeking behavior among adolescent girls. Also the study will assess the prevailing knowledge and source of information regarding menstruation among adolescent girls.