Author(s): Sudha Tiwari, Anita Joshi and VN Rathore

Abstract:
To assess menstrual hygiene practices and imposed restriction during menstruation, a total of 170 adolescent girls (12-18 year) from aaganwadi centers of urban slum Indore area were selected. Data collected by questionnaire method. Results showed that only 36.19% girls were aware regarding menarche. Majority (68%) of adolescent were using sanitary pad. Higher percentage (52.6%) of girls was using 2 pads/day. Cloth using girls were also practising the re-use (44out of 52) of same cloth after washing with or without detergent and antiseptic for a period of 1 to several months. Various disposal methods have been used by girls including throwing in dust bin (84%), flushing (13%) and burning (3%). The main underlying causes of using old cloth was money issue among slum girls. It was found that about 10% of the slum adolescent girls were not attending school during their menstruation. Out of 94% girls getting iron folic acid tablet only 64% of the girls were consuming it. Also, majority (99.1%) of the study population following various types of restriction during their menstrual periods. Above finding shows prevalent religious beliefs and taboos of society need to be removed that creates significant barrier to dignified experience with menstrual hygiene management.

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