Menstrual Hygiene of School-going Adolescent Girls in Kolkata, West Bengal: A Cross-sectional Study

Menstruation is very significant process in women's life and maintenance of proper hygiene during this time is quintessential to her health. However in low- and middle-income countries like India, this does not get due importance to the point that many misconceptions and taboos are attached to it, which in turn leads to worsening of overall health and wellbeing of women.

This study aimed at assessing the awareness and practice toward different aspects of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and to find out the determinants of its practice among school-going girls in Kolkata, West Bengal.

An observational descriptive study with cross-sectional design was conducted among 155 adolescent girls of classes IX to XII from two girls' schools in Kolkata, West Bengal over a period of 2 months. A predesigned, pretested self-administered questionnaire and 36-item Menstrual Practice Needs scale (MPNS) were self-administered anonymously.

Out of 155, 69.7% admitted to have no idea on menstruation before their menarche. Although 78.1% were found to have an idea on ideal type of material but score in MPNS-36 among 108 (67.5%) of participants indicates "improper" MHM. Regression analysis showed significant association with parental education, frequency of changing soaking materials, disposal of them and maintenance of genital hygiene.

Menstrual health education as part of life skill education in school may bring about menstrual well-being of adolescent girls.