A study to assess the knowledge of menstrual hygiene among girls of first year nursing students in selected colleges at Moradabad

Author Name: Jitendra Singh1, Mukul Kumar2

Volume: 01/02

Country: India

DOI NO.: 11.2023-61555522 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/11.2023-38577791/GIJNR

Affiliation:

1. Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2. PG Tutor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Teerthanker Parsavnath College of Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological process of females at their reproductive age. However, it is surrounded with social taboos and supernatural beliefs. The poor knowledge and understanding of menstruation may lead to unsafe hygienic practice that intern increases the risk of reproductive and genitourinary tract infections, cervical cancer, school drop-out, poor academic performance and overall poor quality of life. Despite such clinical and academic effects, the knowledge and hygienic practice of adolescent girls towards menstruation is not well addressed in Indian rural areas, particularly among school adolescent girls. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of menstrual hygiene among girls of first year nursing students. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of menstrual hygiene among girls of first year nursing students. Materials and Methods: Quantitative research approach with purposive sampling technique was followed to include 87 participants. Demographic information and Knowledge structured questionnaire were used to gather data to assess the knowledge on menstrual hygiene. The content validity of the tool was recognized by 4 experts. Results: The result of the study revealed most of the students belongs to rural area 44 (51%) and had average knowledge 70 (80.3%) on menstrual hygiene. There is no association between the level of knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene among students with their age, type of family, marital status, type of diet, nearby health service and no. of siblings and here is a significant association between the level of knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene among students with their religion, Family Income, and type of residence. Conclusion: As observed in this study majority of girls had average knowledge and belongs to rural area, so it is concluded that they need education on maintain proper menstrual hygiene which prevent them from risk of genitourinary tract infections.

Key words: Knowledge, First year nursing girls, Menstruation, Menstrual Hygiene