Vol. 11, Special Issue 3 (2022)

Author(s):
Shipra Nagar, Anshu and Anjali Mathurz

Abstract:
The normal phenomenon of menstruation is surrounded by lack of knowledge which leads to unhealthy practices. The present study aimed to study and compare the perceptions on different aspects of menstruation in rural and tribal adolescent girls. A cross sectional community based study was conducted in the rural areas of Varanasi district and tribal areas of West Garo Hills of Meghalaya among 480 school going adolescent girls in the age group of 12 to 18 years. Data was collected through pre-tested and self-structures interview schedule. The results revealed that awareness regarding menstruation prior to its occurrence was lacking among girls in both areas and the difference between the two settings was highly significant (P<0.001). Friends were the source of information about menstruation in the tribal areas while mothers were the first informants in the rural areas. Common problems faced during menstrual periods by respondents in both the areas were lower abdominal pain, tiredness and sadness. Majority of the rural girls used homemade sanitary pads and reused it. Significant differences in the hygienic practices was noted among girls in rural and tribal area. Rural girls faced more restrictions during menstruation as compared to the tribal areas.