Menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in rural areas of Dibrugarh: an exploration into the need for health promotion activity

Abstract

Assam has a high maternal and child mortality rate. Thus it would be important to explore possible aetiology for such rates and implementation of interventions at all vulnerable stage for its reduction. The present study was an attempt to find out the menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in the rural villages of Dibrugarh and to explore the possibility of the need for health education intervention. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in July-August 2015 and included 312 girls between 11-19 years of age from 30 villages of the district. A questionnaire in local language was used as the study tool. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify adjusted odd ratio and the independent predictors of morbidity factors including burning micturition and itching genitalia. The mean age of menarche of the study participant was 12.1 ± 0.9 years, most (74%) of them used cloths as an absorbent, reused cloth was used by 58%, and inadequate washing of genitalia was seen among 12% of them. Changing absorbent < 3 times/day was significantly (p<0.05) associated with burning micturition (p = 0.046) and itching in the genitalia (p = 0.021). Inadequate washing of genitalia was also found to be significantly associated with burning micturition (p = 0.01) and using reused cloth with itching in the genitalia (p = 0.033) respectively. Lack of awareness regarding menstrual hygiene is seen among study participants. Awareness programme on menstrual hygiene in this region can be important.