Knowledge and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene Management among Secondary School Students in Narayanganj District

Abstract

Background: Menstrual hygiene management practice is essential for the overall development of young adolescents. Globally, 2.3 billion girls and women didn't manage their menstrual hygiene. Objective: To examine the relationships between knowledge, source of information, sociocultural & physical environment of menstrual hygiene management and its practice among secondary school students in Narayanganj district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 131 female students in classes 9 and 10 at selected schools in the Narayanganj district through simple random sampling. A convenient sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. A five-part, self-administered, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics are used for data analysis. Results: Approximately 57.3% of study participants had a high level, and 42.7% had low levels of menstrual hygiene knowledge. Moreover, 70.2% practiced good menstrual hygiene, whereas 29.8% of the participants practiced poor. Total knowledge about menstrual hygiene (r=.25, p=.003) was statistically significant with menstrual hygiene management practice. Conclusion: Overall findings showed substantial relationships between menstrual hygiene knowledge and hygiene management practices. Therefore, school health or student nurses can conduct future studies to identify the factors and arrange educational programs to ensure good menstrual hygiene practices.