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Understanding challenges related to menstrual hygiene management: Knowledge and practices among the adolescent girls in urban slums of Jaipur, India

Authors :
Rajnish R Prasad
Hemant Dwivedi
Mrunal Shetye
Source :
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Vol 13, Iss 3, Pp 1055-1061 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2024.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in urban slums in Jaipur, India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 417 adolescent girls was conducted. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to analyze the data and determine the associated factors. Findings: Only 48.7% of girls had a correct understanding of menstruation. In addition, 55.1% of the menstruating girls had faced health problems related to mensuration in the last 6 months; however, only 47.6% visited a health facility for treatment. Educational status of the girl (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.88–4.06), mother's education (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.30–3.67) and income (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.67–3.95), father's income (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.76–2.95), and counseling by field health workers (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.23–3.51) were found to be associated with knowledge about menstruation. Girl's education (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.74–2.95), mother's education (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.7–2.84) and income (AOR = 1.314, 95% CI = 0.44–2.02), father's education (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 0.55–3.08) and income (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.86–3.28), and counseling by field health workers (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 0.76–2.64) were found to be associated with the type of absorbents used. Conclusion: The findings from the study show that the awareness about mensuration and utilization of health services among adolescent girls is low. There is a need to create an enabling environment for girls to access knowledge and health services related to menstruation by creating awareness at the community level, strengthening outreach by field health workers, and ensuring privacy in healthcare facilities.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22494863
Volume :
13
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2b8f4033004fe88970148bc8593563
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1604_23