Adolescent Girls' Knowledge Regarding Menstrual Hygiene at Institute of Public Health School and College, Mohakhali, Dhaka

Menstrual hygiene refers to special health care requirement during menstruation. Knowledgeable adolescent girls’ lays a major role in prevention of complication that may arise due to poor menstrual hygiene. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of adolescent girls’ knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene at Institute of Public Health School and College Mohakhali, Dhaka. Methods and Materials: A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 75 those were conveniently selected from class-VII to IX of Institute of Public Health School and College, Mohakhali, Dhaka. Data were collected by researchers using face to face interview by knowledge related menstrual hygiene questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages and mean. Results The mean age of respondents was 14 years with the range of 12-17years. Most of the Respondents (91%) were Muslims. Majority of the respondents (96%) had experience of menarche. Among the total number of respondents 39% were in class nine, 33% respondents were in class eight and 28% respondents were in class seven respectively. Among the total number of the respondents 63% got information from their mother, 37% from others about menstrual hygiene. Overall findings showed that 40% respondents had poor level of knowledge, 23% respondents had average level of knowledge, 19 % respondents had very good level of knowledge, 17% had good level of knowledge and only 1% respondents had excellent level of knowledge on Menstrual hygiene. Adolescent girls’ educational status influenced the knowledge of menstrual hygiene. Those respondents had class nine level of education, they had more knowledge than class eight and seven. The mean of total knowledge score of class ix respondents was =70.50 whereas class viii was =57.00 and class vii was =50.20. Conclusion and Recommendation: Result suggested that education of the respondents influenced the knowledge of menstrual hygiene. Therefore, awareness by educational program is recommended.