Menstrual Hygiene Management among Adolescent Girls in Chitral, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Girls in the rural areas of Chitral Pakistan face improper menstrual hygiene management issues due to lack of primary health education and easy access to proper hygiene and sanitation facilities at schools. The issues also come from some of the socio-cultural stereotypes related to menstruation which discourage girls to share their problems with their male family members and teachers. Goal: The goal of this research is to identify the needs and challenges of menstruating adolescent girls in different schools of Chitral Pakistan for improving their education and their psychosocial wellbeing. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 177 students recruited from three educational institutions offering secondary education to girls in the rural areas of Chitral, Pakistan. The schools and colleges were recruited through the principals of those schools. A purposeful sampling was done to select girls who were

unmarried and in the age group of 13-19 years. Data were collected through an anonymous, self- administered questionnaire which included quarries about participants’ socio-demographic

characteristics, knowledge, attitude and perceptions about menstruation, social and cultural behavior, and access to disposable sanitary pads. Findings: The results of this research showed that 175 (98.5 %) girls had already started their menstruation cycle. Out of the 177 participants, 99.4% reported that they attend schools and out of them 81.9% participants reported that they don’t feel comfortable at schools during their menstrual cycles. 67.2% participants reported that their menstrual problems interfere with their school performance. 64% participants reported low concentration in studies and 2.8% reported that they miss their lessons during their menstrual (P=0.22) Conclusion: The study concluded that the majority of adolescents do not possess good knowledge and perceptions about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. The school's facilities are not enough to provide comfort to menstruating girls at schools which hinder their concentration on their studies. Efforts have to be taken to ensure that adolescents are well educated on the meaning of menstruation, they have access to hygiene absorbents, and disposal of menstrual hygiene wastes for good hygienic practice both in schools and at home.