Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Menstrual Hygiene Among Adolescents Girls Studying in Urban and Rural Schools in Kerala

Abstract

Comparison research was carried out to assess the knowledge of early adolescent girls in a few urban and rural schools in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in order to develop an information booklet on clean menstruation habits. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of early adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene practices, compare the knowledge of early adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene practices, ascertain the correlation between the knowledge of early adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene practices and particular demographic characteristics, and improve their understanding of hygienic menstrual practices. Thirty early adolescent females from both urban and rural schools were selected using a suitable sample technique. The "Modified Roy's adaptation model" serves as the conceptual basis for this investigation. Sr. Callista Roy designed the model. The study used a descriptive technique and a comparative design to investigate early teenage girls' awareness of hygienic menstrual practices. A standardized knowledge questionnaire was used to evaluate the knowledge. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The chi-square test was used to ascertain the association between knowledge and particular sociodemographic variables, and frequency distribution and percentage were used to assess a subset of sociodemographic parameters. The examination, which covered a wide range of menstruation hygiene-related issues, found that early adolescent girls in urban regions know more than those in rural areas. The mother's educational background and the sample's level of knowledge are correlated, but not with their age, religion, monthly income, or occupational status of mother, menarche age or informant.