MENSTRUAL HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG SCHOOL ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN RURAL COMMUNITY, LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Authors

  • S AKBAR Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan
  • A KHALIL Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan
  • R HAMEED Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan
  • F KHALEEL Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan
  • F TASLEEM Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan
  • M ZAFAR Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan
  • U FIRDOUS Department Of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2024i1.1352

Keywords:

Menstrual Hygiene, Adolescent Girls, Rural Pakistan, Knowledge, Practices, School Absenteeism

Abstract

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is critical for the health and well-being of adolescent girls, yet cultural taboos, inadequate education, and limited access to sanitary facilities pose significant challenges, particularly in rural Pakistan. Objective: To assess the knowledge, practices, and hygiene habits of adolescent schoolgirls regarding menstrual hygiene in a rural community in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 adolescent schoolgirls aged 10–18 years. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire addressing knowledge, practices, and hygiene habits related to menstruation. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: Most participants (84.3%) were aware of menstruation, but only 31.48% received information before menarche. Mothers were the primary source of information (98.15%), while only 64.81% used sanitary pads. Privacy issues in washing absorbents were reported by 68.49%, and only 38.15% used soap for cleaning. School absenteeism due to menstruation was reported by 72.22% of participants, largely due to pain and lack of toilet facilities. Conclusion: Significant gaps in menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices exist among adolescent girls in rural Pakistan. Interventions focusing on school-based education, community awareness, and improved access to hygiene products and facilities are urgently needed to address these gaps and promote better health and educational outcomes.

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References

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Ali TS, Rizvi SN. Menstrual knowledge and practices of female adolescents in urban Karachi, Pakistan. J Adolesc. 2010; 33(4):531-541.

Ahmed R, Yesmin K, Sultana S. Mothers as primary educators in shaping menstrual practices among adolescent girls: A comparative study in South Asia. J Public Health Res. 2021; 10(3):897-904.

Van Eijk AM, Sivakami M, Thakkar MB, et al. Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2016; 6(3):e010290.

Sommer M, Caruso BA, Sahin M, Calderon T, Cavill S, Mahon T. A time for global action: Addressing girls’ menstrual hygiene management needs in schools. PLoS Med. 2016; 13(2):e1001962.

Ahmed S, Butt Z, Younas M. Impact of menstrual hygiene education on school attendance among adolescent girls in Pakistan. J Educ Health Promot. 2021; 10:348.

Van Eijk AM, Sivakami M, Thakkar MB, et al. Menstrual hygiene management in low-resource settings: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis. PLoS One. 2019; 14(10):e0222927.

Ahmed S, Butt Z, Younas M, et al. Improving school infrastructure to support menstrual hygiene management in Pakistan: A community-based intervention study. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2021; 10(7):348-356.

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Published

2024-12-10

How to Cite

AKBAR , S., KHALIL , A., HAMEED , R., KHALEEL , F., TASLEEM , F., ZAFAR , M., & FIRDOUS , U. (2024). MENSTRUAL HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG SCHOOL ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN RURAL COMMUNITY, LAHORE, PAKISTAN. Biological and Clinical Sciences Research Journal, 2024(1), 1352. https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2024i1.1352

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