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Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of of Menstrual Hygiene Among The Female Nursing Students in Dhaka

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72 views5 pages

Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of of Menstrual Hygiene Among The Female Nursing Students in Dhaka

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Mushfiqur Rahman
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Nahar NS et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019 May;8(5):1847-1851


www.ijrcog.org pISSN 2320-1770 | eISSN 2320-1789

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20191930
Original Research Article

Assessment of knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among the


female nursing students in a selected private nursing college in
Dhaka City
Niru Shamsun Nahar1,2, Ratna Khatun1, Khondoker Mahmuda Akter Halim2,
Sharmin Islam1, Faisal Muhammad3*

1
Department of Adult Medical and Surgical Nursing, Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing, Mirpur-2, Dhaka,
Bangladesh
2
Department of Nutrition, Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing, Mirpur-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh
3
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka,
Bangladesh

Received: 15 March 2019


Accepted: 09 April 2019

*Correspondence:
Dr. Faisal Muhammad,
E-mail: [email protected]

Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Background: Adolescent females are often uninformed and inexperienced on most health-related issues including
menstruation. The problems of menstrual hygiene are inadequately acknowledged and has not received any proper
attention as well. This study was aimed to assess the level of knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among the
female nursing students in Bangladesh.
Methods: A total of 106 female nursing students were selected from Grameen Caledonian College of nursing using
purposive sampling technique. A descriptive cross-sectional type of study was used. Data were collected directly
using self-administered semi-structured questionnaire developed and was analysed using SPSS version 22.0.
Results: In this study more than six-tenths (63.2%) of the respondents were 20 years and below and most of them
(74.5%) were unmarried. About 60.4% of them were currently running diploma in nursing and the rest (38.6%) were
B.Sc. nursing students. About 72.6% of the respondent’s mothers had above HSC level of education and most of them
(61.3%) were from nuclear family. Little above half (51.9%) of the respondents mentioned that menstruation is the
uterine bleeding and the majority (67.0%) of the respondents were surprised during their first menstruation. Most of
the respondents source of information about menstruation before menarche was sister (95.3%), followed by friend
(92.5%), mother (67.9%) and the rest mentioned the teacher (62.3%). About 76.5% of the respondents mentioned that
their mode of disposal of absorbents was dustbin and most of them (68.9%) used water and soap to clean their genital
area after menstruation.
Conclusions: The study was concluded that more than half of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge and
practice regarding the menstrual hygiene. Most of the (67.0%) of the respondents were surprised during their first
menstruation and close to eight-tenths (79.2%) mentioned they had a regular usual menstrual cycle. There is need for
more awareness regarding the information on good menstrual hygiene practices.

Keywords: Hygiene, Knowledge, Mesntruation, Nursing-Students, Practice

INTRODUCTION urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis, and more


than seven-tenths of women have a history of a genital
Worldwide every year approximately about 10% of infection. Pregnancy and poor hygienic status both
women are exposed to genital infections including Perineal and menstrual hygiene are the common risk

May 2019 · Volume 8 · Issue 5 Page 1847


Nahar NS et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019 May;8(5):1847-1851

factors for vaginal infections.1 The issue of menstrual the rest (38.6%) were B.Sc. nursing students. Little above
hygiene is inadequately acknowledged and has not eight-tenths (80.2%) were from urban areas and most of
received proper attention.2 Good hygienic practices, such their family monthly income was more than 15000 taka.
as use of sanitary pads and proper washing of the genital About 72.6% of the respondent’s mothers had above
areas, are important during menstruation period. Women HSC level of education and most of them (61.3%) were
of reproductive age need access to clean and soft from nuclear family.
absorbent sanitary products which in the long run protect
their health from various infections.3 A study described a Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of the
knowledge of the menstrual process which is part of sex respondents (n=106).
education is often clouded with secrecy in some cultures,
and these are not often discussed in public, because the Variables Frequency Percent
topics related to sexual development are, therefore, Age (years)
avoided from school and colleges curriculum. Therefore, ≤20 67 63.2
such knowledge is passed mostly from mothers, sisters, ≥21 39 36.8
aunts, and grandmothers to daughters.4 There is limited
Marital status
information regarding the menstrual hygiene among the
Married 27 25.5
Bangladeshi nurses. This study was aimed to assess the
level of knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene Unmarried 79 74.5
among the female nursing students in Bangladesh. Religion
Muslim 86 81.1
METHODS Non-Muslim 20 18.9
Educational background (Presently Studying)
A total of 106 female nursing students were selected from Diploma in nursing 64 60.4
Grameen Caledonian College of nursing using purposive B.Sc. in nursing 42 39.6
sampling technique. A descriptive cross-sectional type of Residence
study was conducted among the nursing students to Rural 21 19.8
identify their level of knowledge and practice regarding Urban 85 80.2
the menstrual hygiene. All the female nursing students Family monthly income (Taka)
who were currently studying in this college were included
≤15000 30 28.3
and male nursing students were excluded for
>15000 76 71.7
participation.
Mother’s educational level
An official request was made to the concern authority Up to HSC 29 27.4
before staring the study in Grameen Caledonian Nursing Above HSC 77 72.6
College. Oral request were made to the students and the Family type
written informed consent was also taken. The study was Joint family 29 27.4
approved by the Grameen Caledonian Nursing College, Nuclear family 65 61.3
Dhaka Bangladesh. Extended family 12 11.3

Statistical analysis Knowledge about menstrual hygiene

All the data were collected directly using self- Table 2 shows that little above half (51.9%) of the
administered semi-structured questionnaire developed by respondents mentioned that menstruation is the uterine
the researchers. A written and verbal informed consent bleeding, 28.3% of them mentioned that is the bleeding
was taken from the students and all were given clear from stomach and the rest (19.8%) stated that
instructions on how to fill the questionnaires. The menstruation is the white discharge. Regarding the causes
collected data were checked for completeness and of menstruation about 57.5% of the respondents
correctness. All the information collected were coded mentioned that it occurs naturally, 23.6% mentioned that
numerically and entered into the SPSS version 22.0 it is hormonal and 18.9% of them mentioned that it’s
software program for analysis. physical. About 67.9% of the study participants
mentioned that their menarche age was 11-13 years and
RESULTS the rest mentioned it was 14-16 years. The majority
(67.0%) of the respondents were surprised during their
Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents first menstruation, 54.7% of them mentioned that its
normal for them and 44.3% were afraid during first
Table 1 showed that more than six-tenths (63.2%) of the menstruation. About 66% of the respondents mentioned
respondents were 20 years and below and most of them that use of sanitary pad is the concept about menstrual
(74.5%) were unmarried. About 81.1% of the hygiene and most of the respondents source of
respondents were Muslims and slightly above three-fifths information about menstruation before menarche was
(60.4%) were currently running diploma in nursing and sister (95.3%), followed by friend (92.5%), mother

International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 8 · Issue 5 Page 1848
Nahar NS et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019 May;8(5):1847-1851

(67.9%) and the rest mentioned the teacher (62.3%). sanitary pad, followed by new cloth (29.2%) and the rest
Close to eight-tenths (79.2%) mentioned they had a used old washed cloth (6.6%). More than half (55.7%) of
regular usual menstrual cycle and the remaining (20.8%) them stated that they changed the material once a day and
had irregular menstrual cycle. A half (50%) of the 27.4% of them mentioned they changed the material
respondents mentioned that they experienced inter twice a day. About 55.7% of the respondents mentioned
menstrual interval for 25-28 days and 40.6% of them that adequate absorption was their perception regarding
mentioned that the duration for menstrual cycle during sanitary pad and 46.2% of them mentioned that
each period was 3-5 days. comfortability was their perception regarding use of
sanitary cloth.
Table 2: Knowledge about menstrual hygiene (n=106).
Table 3: Practice about menstrual hygiene (n=106).
Items Frequency Percentage
Menstruation Items Frequency Percentage
White discharge 21 19.8 Material use during menstruation
Uterine bleeding 55 51.9 Sanitary pad 68 64.2
Bleeding from stomach 30 28.3 Old cloth 7 6.6
Belief regarding causes of menstruation New cloth 31 29.2
Hormonal 25 23.6 Frequency of changing material used
Natural 61 57.5 Once a day 59 55.7
Physical 20 18.9 Twice a day 29 27.4
Menarche Age More than three times 18 16.9
11-13 years 72 67.9 Perception regarding sanitary pad
14-16 years 34 32.1 Comfortable 26 24.5
Feeling about first menstruation (multiple response) Adequate absorption 59 55.7
Surprised 71 67.0 Do not stain clothes 21 19.8
Afraid 47 44.3 Perception regarding sanitary cloth
Got nervous 39 36.8 Comfortable 49 46.2
Normal 58 54.7 Adequate absorption 35 33.0
Concept about menstrual hygiene Do not stain clothes 22 20.8
Taking rest 16 15.1 Reason for not using sanitary pad
Taking supplementary Cost 33 31.1
20 18.9
food Difficulty in disposal 36 34.0
Use sanitary pad 70 66.0 Lack of knowledge 11 10.4
Sources of information about menstruation before Other reason 15 24.5
menarche (multiple response) Mode of disposal of absorbents
Mother 72 67.9 Burn 17 16.0
Sister 101 95.3 Burry 8 7.5
Friend 98 92.5 Dustbin 81 76.5
Teacher 66 62.3 Material used for Genital Cleaning
Usual menstrual cycle Water only 11 10.4
Regular 84 79.2 Water and soap 73 68.9
Irregular 22 20.8 Water and anti-septic 22 20.7
Experience of inter menstrual interval Excess bleeding during menstruation
<25 days 22 20.8 Yes 29 27.4
25-28 days 53 50.0 No 77 72.6
28-35 days 19 17.9 Excess pain during menstruation
>35 days 12 11.3 Yes 38 35.8
Duration of menstrual cycle during each period No 68 64.2
<2 days 14 13.2 Feel weak and unable to take food during
2-3 days 28 26.4 menstruation
3-5 days 43 40.6 Yes 31 29.2
>5 days 21 19.8 No 75 70.8

Practice about menstrual hygiene Most of the respondents (34.4%) mentioned that
difficulty in disposal was their reason for not using
Table 3 showed that about 64.2% of the respondent’s sanitary pad, followed by cost as mentioned by 31.1%,
mentioned that the material used during menstruation was other reason as mentioned by 24.5% and the rest

International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 8 · Issue 5 Page 1849
Nahar NS et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2019 May;8(5):1847-1851

mentioned lack of knowledge (10.4%). About 76.5% of consistent to that of similar study conducted in
the respondents mentioned that their mode of disposal of neighboring country India.7
absorbents was dustbin and most of them (68.9% 0 used
water and soap to clean their genital area after About 64.2% of the respondent’s mentioned that the
menstruation. Less than three-tenths (27.4%) of the material used during menstruation was sanitary pad,
respondents had excess bleeding during menstruation and followed by new cloth (29.2%) and the rest used old
only 35.8% of them had excess pain during menstruation. washed cloth (6.6%). A similar study reported the
About 29.2% of the study participants mentioned they following practices during menstruation - 11.25% of the
feel weak and unable to take food during menstruation. girls used sanitary pads during menstruation, 42.5% of
them used old cloth pieces and 6.25% of the girls used
Level of knowledge and practice on menstrual hygiene new cloth pieces.8

Table 4 showed that about 57.5% of the respondents had About 57.5% of the respondents had moderate level of
moderate level of knowledge regarding the menstrual knowledge regarding the menstrual hygiene, 22.6% of
hygiene, 22.6% of them had good level of knowledge and them had good level of knowledge and 19.9% of them
19.9% of them had poor level of knowledge on menstrual had poor level of knowledge on menstrual hygiene. This
hygiene. On the other hand about 53.4% of the study is similar to the findings of another study conducted in
participants had moderate level of practice on menstrual northern part of Nigeria.9
hygiene, 28.7% of them had good level of practice and
the rest had poor level of practice regarding the menstrual On the other hand about 53.4% of the study participants
hygiene (17.9%). had moderate level of practice on menstrual hygiene,
28.7% of them had good level of practice and the rest had
Table 4: Level of knowledge and practice on poor level of practice regarding the menstrual hygiene
menstrual hygiene. (17.9%). This finding is lower than that of similar study
conducted in Ethiopia were they found 90.9% had good
Level of knowledge Level of practice practice regarding the menstrual hygiene.10
Score on menstrual on menstrual
hygiene hygiene CONCLUSION
Good 24 (22.6) 41 (38.7)
Moderate 61 (57.5) 46 (43.4) The study was concluded that more than half of the
Poor 21 (19.9) 19 (17.9) respondents had moderate level of knowledge and
Total 106 (100.0) 106 (100.0) practice regarding the menstrual hygiene. Most of the
(67.0%) of the respondents were surprised during their
DISCUSSION first menstruation and close to eight-tenths (79.2%)
mentioned they had a regular usual menstrual cycle.
In this study little above half (51.9%) of the respondents About 64.2% of the respondents stated that the material
mentioned that menstruation is the uterine bleeding. used during menstruation was sanitary pad and more than
28.3% of them mentioned that is the bleeding from half (55.7%) of them changed the material once a day.
stomach and 19.8% stated that menstruation is the white There is need for more awareness regarding the
discharge. Regarding the causes of menstruation about information on good menstrual hygiene practices.
57.5% of the respondents mentioned that it occurs Schools and colleges should add more effort in provision
naturally, 23.6% mentioned that it is hormonal and 18.9% or creating awareness about the important of good
of them mentioned that it’s physical. A study reported menstrual hygiene among the students and the
that 1 out of every 3 girls in South Asia knew nothing community as a whole.
about menstruation before attaining menarche and
another study from India reported that 10% of the girls Funding: No funding sources
believed that menstruation is a disease.5 Conflict of interest: None declared
Ethical approval: The study was approved by the
The majority (67.0%) of the respondents were surprised Institutional Ethics Committee
during their first menstruation, 54.7% of them mentioned
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International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 8 · Issue 5 Page 1851

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