Knowledge and Attitude of Deaf and Mute Adolescent Girls about Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management

Background: Poor Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHM) is a major public health problem. Many girls experience shame, fear and lack of accurate information, advice, and support regarding their menstruation. Aim of the study: to assess knowledge, and attitude of deaf and mute adolescent girls about menstrual health and hygiene management. Design: Descriptive cross sectional research design was used in this study. Setting: It was conducted in Al-Amal School in Qena Governorate. Sample: The total number of the studied sample was 63 girls; purposive sample technique was used to choose the students. Tools: two tools were used. Tool I: Self-administered questionnaire was used which consisted of two parts; part (1): socio demographic data, and part (2): knowledge towards menstruation. Tool II: Attitude scale was used to determine the attitude toward menstrual health and hygiene management. Results: 65.1% of deaf and mute adolescent girls aged from 16 - 19 years. According to their knowledge, 58.7% of them had poor knowledge. Regarding to their attitude, 60.3% of them had negative attitude toward menstrual health and hygiene management. Conclusion: Less than two thirds of deaf and mute adolescent girls had poor knowledge and negative attitude toward menstrual health and hygiene management. Also, there was statistically significant difference between total score of attitudes of deaf and mute adolescent girls with age (P value = .011) and residence in school (P value =.014). Recommendations: Educational programs should be provided to deaf and mute adolescent girls to enhance their awareness of menstrual health and hygiene management.