School Preparedness On Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Rural Adolescent Girls - A School Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "adolescents" as individuals in the 10-19 years age group, the period between childhood and adulthood. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is personal hygiene practices during menstruation which starts with the choice of the best sanitary materials, their proper use, disposal, and body cleanliness. Inadequate MHM among adolescent girls is a public health problem, mainly in low and middle-income countries. India has over 355 million menstruating women and girls, but millions of women across the country are uncomfortable and undignified experience with MHM. Menstrual hygiene is frequently seen as a multi-sectorial problem that calls for coordinated action from the departments of education, health, women's and child development, and water sanitation hygiene (WASH). Methodology: Study design Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The schools’ preparedness levels were be assessed quantitatively using observation check list while we interviewed a small number of girls and teachers which provided more context to the quantitative data. The interviews explored the participants’ perspectives on the experiences of girls in managing menstruation at school. Study setting – Ten were selected randomly for the quantitative arm of the study. Sampling method and size – A total of 10 schools was selected randomly for the quantitative arm of the study and from each school a total of 10 girls with different backgrounds was selected for the qualitative data on hygiene facilities and its effect on the schoolgirls and responsible teacher in each school. Out of 100 students from 10 schools only 88 students responded to survey after resolving the exclusion criteria   and 30 teachers. Conclusions: In this study school preparedness among rural adolescent girls is assessed in 10 schools and each school 10 girls are interviewed and among 100 girls excluding criteria is applied and only 88 girls from 16-19 years are interviewed. 30   teachers are interviewed.  Out of 10 schools only 3 schools are having school preparedness and 7 schools are not prepared for MHM. Only 3 basic infrastructure   facilities are there in all   schools and 9   infrastructure facilities are not there in schools. Government is giving importance to MHM but not implemented.