Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340 Volume 4, Number 4 (2017), 1-9
© Arya PG College, Panipat & Business Press India Publication, Delhi
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Study of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls of Government Aided Schools of Hathras

Shalini
Associate Professor
Head, Department Home Science
SRDAK (PG) College, Hathras , Uttar Pradesh, India
Email: Shalini.hathras@gmail.com

Abstract
A woman usually spends six years (2100 days) of her life in menstruating. Menstruation and menstrual practices are still affected by taboos and socio-cultural restrictions and not discussed without hesitation, resulting in adolescent girls remaining ignorant of the scientific facts of hygiene and health practices, which sometimes result in adverse outcomes such as septic or infection in reproductive tract. The present study was undertaken to study menstrual knowledge and practice of school going girls and counselling them about menstrual hygiene. Adolescent girls of Government Aided Schools were selected. Data were collected with the help of pre- designed, self-structured and pre- tested questionnaire and statistically by simple proportions. It was found that mostly girls were not aware about the physiology of menstrual cycle and menstrual hygiene. Though, 68 per cent were using sanitary napkins but were not aware about how to dispose it. Many were restricted to do rituals and eat sour food during menstruation. Adolescent girls should be educated by the teacher or anganwari worker. Sex education campaign or workshop should be organized in a school at least twice in a year. Keywords: Adolescent Girls, Counseling, Hygiene, Knowledge, Menstrual Cycle